Hibs ‘incensed’ as Ross County claim last-gasp draw
Hearts-bound Yan Dhanda rescued a point for Ross County deep into stoppage timeNick Montgomery says his players were left “incensed” after Yan Dhanda’s controversial strike in the 98th minute denied Hibernian victory at Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
Having taken the lead three minutes before the break through Josh Sims, Don Cowie’s side soon ceded the advantage as half-time substitute Adam Le Fondre changed the game for Hibs.
Firstly the Englishman won a flick-on to give the visitors field position, allowing Myziane Maolida to combine with Elie Youan before sliding in the equaliser.
Then Le Fondre looked to have grabbed the winner after peeling away from County’s centre-backs to calmly finish following a wonderful long pass from Joe Newell.
However, with the last play of the game County were awarded a throw-in which ought to have gone Hibs’ way, and they took full advantage.
Keep up to date with Ross CountyThe latest Hibernian newsSimon Murray took a sensational touch on the turn down the right-hand side then smashed in a low cross and Dhanda – who will be a Hearts player next season – was there to steer the ball into the bottom corner.
The Hibs players and staff were left stunned and devastated at the full-time whistle as they slipped to seventh after Dundee defeated Aberdeen at Dens Park, with four games to go before the league splits.
“I find it hard to understand where seven minutes injury time came from,” Montgomery told BBC Scotland.
“We’re then defending nearer the eight-minute mark, defending a throw-in that’s our throw-in. It’s hard to explain how that can happen, but it did. It’s a real sickener.
“The players are incensed because we shouldn’t have to defend our own throw-in. Everybody was confused as to how that happened. We switched off waiting for it to be pulled back.”
Cowie’s County stay in 11th place, but they move seven points in front of bottom side Livingston and narrow the gap to just three on Aberdeen above them.
Player of the match – Adam Le FondreAdam Le Fondre turned the game in Hibs’ favour with his presence up top after coming on at the break, and scored a brilliant goalHibs’ fragility returns, County boost morale – analysisThe narrative was about to be written about Hibs’ continued improvement since the winter break. New signings and returning players have helped them to a four-game unbeaten run in the league. That is now five matches, but this feels like a defeat.
This was the second meeting between these sides in 11 days, and both swung on a half-time change by Hibs boss Montgomery. At Easter Road, Dylan Levitt’s introduction helped Hibs to a 2-0 win, but this time it was the midfielder who was hooked for the brilliant Le Fondre.
The veteran striker instantly gave Hibs a presence up front as his physicality and clever movement caused problems. He had two further chances to score as well as being pivotal for both goals.
After his lovely first-time strike Hibs were on course for a first comeback win in the league this season. Their new-found resilience would have been a talking point, particularly when David Marshall brilliantly denied Simon Murray in stoppage time.
And although they will feel particularly aggrieved at the decision to award County a throw-in, they still had to defend their box.
Their inability to do so has consistently cost them, and the first County goal came from confusion between Marshall and his defenders when a cross came in, which allowed Sims to tap in.
Hibs’ top-six hopes will remain fragile until they learn to keep clean sheets.
As for County, such a dramatic late goal with wild celebrations at the end could be the turning point for them. The individual quality they have in Dhanda, Murray, Victor Loturi and others is clear. But they too struggle to defend their box and play as a team at times, and in truth Hibs had the better of the play.
However, resilience can go a long way in a relegation scrap. A seven-point gap to Livingston feels psychologically significant, although with Hearts and Rangers still to play before the split Cowie will not be getting carried away.
Nonetheless this was a morale-boosting night for County.
What they saidRoss County boss Don Cowie: “I enjoyed it because that time in the game there wasn’t long to go. That never-say-die attitude was massive for us and it could prove to be a vital point.
“We showed that against Livingston as well. I’d rather we did it earlier but glad we got a point out of it.
“I’ve got a really string squad now and it’s about making the right decisions. It was great for Yan [Dhanda] to come off the bench and make an impact and get the equaliser.”
Hibs head coach Nick Montgomery: “We just lost two points we shouldn’t have lost. We dominated the game in the second half and got back into the game, and should have won it.”
What’s next?Hearts are the visitors in Dingwall on Saturday (15:00) while Hibs host Livingston at the same time.
Line-upsRoss CountyFormation 3-5-2
40Wickens24Efete5Baldwin42Leak11SimsSubstituted forBrownat 73’minutes2Randall14LoturiSubstituted forDhandaat 82’minutes19KhelaSubstituted forSheafat 60’minutes43ReidSubstituted forHarmonat 82’minutes27BrophySubstituted forWhiteat 72’minutes15MurrayBooked at 74minsSubstitutes1Laidlaw4Brown10Dhanda12Sheaf16Harmon17Henderson21Jenks26White28AyinaHibernianFormation 4-2-3-1
1Marshall2MillerBooked at 14minsSubstituted forCaddenat 34’minutes5Fish33Bushiri21Obita6LevittSubstituted forLe Fondreat 45’minutes11Newell23Triantis20MarcondesSubstituted forHanlonat 90+2’minutes17MaolidaBooked at 71mins7YouanSubstitutes4Hanlon12Cadden13Wollacott14Mayenda16Stevenson19Le Fondre44MacIntyre49WhittakerReferee:David Munro
Attendance:3,774
Match StatsLive TextMatch ends, Ross County 2, Hibernian 2.
Second Half ends, Ross County 2, Hibernian 2.
Goal! Ross County 2, Hibernian 2. Yan Dhanda (Ross County) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Simon Murray.
Attempt missed. Jordan White (Ross County) header from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by George Harmon with a cross following a set piece situation.
Foul by Nectarios Triantis (Hibernian).
Connor Randall (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Corner, Ross County. Conceded by David Marshall.
Attempt saved. Simon Murray (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan White with a headed pass.
Joe Newell (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ryan Leak (Ross County).
Substitution, Hibernian. Paul Hanlon replaces Emiliano Marcondes.
Foul by Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian).
Jordan White (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Nectarios Triantis (Hibernian).
Substitution, Ross County. Yan Dhanda replaces Victor Loturi.
Substitution, Ross County. George Harmon replaces Josh Reid.
Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Jack Baldwin.
Élie Youan (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Josh Reid (Ross County).
Player of the match
ReidJosh Reid
with an average of 8.14
Squad number43Player nameReid
Squad number10Player nameDhanda
Squad number11Player nameSims
Squad number2Player nameRandall
Squad number15Player nameMurray
Squad number27Player nameBrophy
Squad number24Player nameEfete
Squad number19Player nameKhela
Squad number5Player nameBaldwin
Squad number12Player nameSheaf
Squad number4Player nameBrown
Squad number14Player nameLoturi
Squad number40Player nameWickens
Squad number42Player nameLeak
Squad number26Player nameWhite
Squad number16Player nameHarmon
HibernianSquad number19Player nameLe Fondre
Squad number5Player nameFish
Squad number12Player nameCadden
Squad number1Player nameMarshall
Squad number17Player nameMaolida
Squad number33Player nameBushiri
Squad number23Player nameTriantis
Squad number20Player nameEmiliano Marcondes
Squad number11Player nameNewell
Squad number7Player nameYouan
Squad number6Player nameLevitt
Squad number2Player nameMiller
Squad number21Player nameObita
Squad number4Player nameHanlon
