The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

Saints pay penalty for gaffes as Hibs prevail

- By Brian Fowlie SPORT@SUNDAYPOST.COM

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson wants his side to stop paying the penalty of mistakes on the road.

The Buddies have now lost four of their five away league fixtures and conceded a spot-kick in every one.

A VAR decision brought the latest of those penalty-kicks at Easter Road yesterday and set Saints on the way to another defeat.

It was a result that saw Hibs jump above St Mirren in the table and claim third place.

Robinson said: “I didn’t think we did the simple things well enough and we got punished for that.

“We seem to give a penalty away in every away game.

“Ultimately, Hibs deserved to win but we are much better than we showed and I am confident of that.

“We will look at that. We won’t just brush it under the carpet.

“There are things we will show them so we get back to doing what we do well and pick ourselves up.”

VAR stepped into proceeding­s twice in the game, although the first occasion was shrouded in mystery for the supporters.

It left home manager

Lee Johnson admitting the electronic refereeing system leaves you unsure about when it’s safe to celebrate.

Hibs had the ball in the net early on when a Newell pass set up Cabrajato to cross and give Kukharevyc­h a tap in.

The celebratio­ns had finished and St Mirren were about to restart when the referee signalled play would begin with a free-kick on the edge of the Saints’ penalty box.

The VAR officials had spotted Cabrajato was offside but that wasn’t communicat­ed to the supporters inside the stadium.

It’s absurd fans are having to use mobile phones to get informatio­n about events taking place just a few yards away from them. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

As half-time approached, the Hibs’ fans were fearing their favourites might end up ruing a series of missed chances.

Porteous sent an attempt narrowly wide, Carson did brilliantl­y to save a Boyle volley from point-blank range and Henderson should have hit the target when presented with a free shot at goal.

The main worry for those in green and white – one that didn’t come to pass – was being hit on the break by the Buddies.

It almost happened when Ayunga got behind the home defence and only a fine save by Marshall denied the Englishman.

Some supporters had already made their way below stairs for a half-time pie when VAR referee Greg Aitken asked the on-field official to have another look at a possible Tait handball from a Cadden shot.

Don Robertson had both managers offering him advice as he went to the monitor and then pointed to the spot.

Martin Boyle sent Carson the wrong way to put Hibs ahead with the last kick of the half.

Although he’d rather it wasn’t given, Robinson didn’t disagree with the decision.

St Mirren regigged their defence during the break, with Shaughness­y replacing Tait.

But there was no real fightback from the Paisley men and their fate was sealed when Kukharevyc­h got Hibs’ second.

He out-muscled Gogic in the penalty area and curled a shot into the far corner of the net.

It didn’t take long for the Hibees to make it three.

Melkersen’s cross from the left was deflected into the path of Ewan Henderson and he sent a lovely side-foot shot into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.

It was a smart finish and one that should boost the confidence of the former Celtic midfielder.

 ?? ?? Striker Mykola Kukharevyc­h fires the ball home to extend Hibs’ lead to 2-0
Striker Mykola Kukharevyc­h fires the ball home to extend Hibs’ lead to 2-0
 ?? ?? Kukharevyc­h celebrates
Kukharevyc­h celebrates

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