THe CHAMpionSHip
HIBS boss Neil Lennon was happy to come away with a point from this pulsating tussle with Dunfermline after admitting his players were exhausted following the midweek Scottish Cup triumph over Hearts. The hosts stormed into a two-goal lead after just 24 minutes courtesy of Martin Boyle and Jason Cummings efforts and at that stage it looked like the Pars would be on the end of a hiding.
But Hibs captain David Gray’s error gifted Paul McMullan a goal moments later and the visitors completed the comeback seconds after the restart through Kallum Higginbotham.
With Hibs dead on their feet, goalkeeper Ofir Marciano rescued his team with a string of fine saves to ensure the Championship leaders preserved their seven-point lead at the summit.
“Mentally and physically they were tired,” admitted Lennon, who was left with a central-defensive crisis after Liam Fontaine was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half.
“I knew Wednesday night would take a lot out of them so I’m pleased with the point.
“And sometimes you need your goalkeeper. It’s not very often he has been called upon this season and he made some magnificent saves. We may have lost that game last year.
“Now we have to rest and recover.”
After just six minutes when Boyle volleyed in Cummings’ cross at the back post.
The home side doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Cummings stroked home an accomplished penalty after Boyle was tripped inside the area by Jason Talbot.
A rare error from captain Gray gave the visitors a lifeline. The
full-back took a fresh air swipe at Nicky Clark’s through-ball and McMullan raced clear before burying a low left-footed drive past Marciano.
Dunfermline exploited the home side’s anxiety just 27 seconds after the restart, Higginbotham volleying the Pars level with a well-executed back-post drive after being found by Michael Moffat.
“A point is a good result here but we’re disappointed we didn’t come away with three,” said Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston.
“The games against Hibs have been close this year but it shows we’re moving in the right direction when you come here and you’re unlucky not to win.”