Ross County 1 Hibs 1

Ross County 1 Hibs 1

25-Jan-2025 17:21:36 | Hibernian FC Official Website

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We extended our unbeaten run to nine games this afternoon, however, it was a frustrating day in the Highlands as Ross County struck late to snatch a share of the spoils.

Ronan Hale’s contentious 87th minute spot kick – the hosts' second of the afternoon – saw them secure snatch a point following a scrappy affair.

The match burst into life on the half-hour mark following a dour start when Jordan Smith saved Jordan White’s penalty kick following a harsh decision given against Nicky Cadden.

We created several opportunities before Dylan Levitt’s clinical finish on the cusp of half-time gave us a narrow lead.

After the break we again carved out the better chances without taking any and we were made to pay when Hale netted from the spot in the closing moments.

David Gray made five changes to the side that defeated Clydebank in last weekend’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup tie.

Out went Lewis Miller, Rudi Molotnikov, Junior Hoilett, Mykola Kuharevich and Kwon Hyeok-kyu to be replaced by Chris Cadden, Nicky Cadden, Josh Campbell, Dwight Gayle and Nectarios Triantis.

The hosts handed debuts to Zac Ashworth, Jonathan Tomkinson and George Robesten – the latter recalled from his loan with Brora Rangers – as they looked to bounce back from a cup exit to Livingston.

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We lined-up in our usual 3-4-1-2 on a heavy surface at the Global Energy Stadium following Storm Eowyn yesterday.

We made an encouraging start to the game, playing on the front foot and working nice passing moves to get into the final third. Our first opportunity of the match came via route-one football when Rocky’s long clearance found Gayle running in behind on the left, however, his shot from an angle was wasteful and finished high into the Jail End.

On 21 minutes County had their first effort on target when a mistake from Triantis saw the hosts gain possession inside our box and Noah Chilvers forced a smart save from Jordan Smith down to his left.

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The match was proving to be a scrappy affair and not one for the football purists as the park began to cut up.

Then, on 25 minutes, came a controversial moment when the hosts were awarded a spot kick after Jacob Brown missed Chilver’s cross at the back post, with the ball striking the arm of Nicky Cadden on the way through.

Referee David Dickinson initially played on, only to be sent to the monitor by VAR Matthew MacDermid, before awarding the penalty kick.

Justice was perhaps served, however, as Smith got down brilliantly to his left to save from Jordan White and keep us level.

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The save sparked us into life, and we finished the first half strongly. On 30 minutes Nicky Cadden almost picked out Martin Boyle at the back post only for Eli Campbell to do just enough to divert the ball behind for a corner kick.

County goalkeeper Jordan Amissah then made a mess of collecting a Nicky Cadden delivery before Dwight Gayle had an effort deflected wide for another set piece.

We broke the deadlock from the resultant corner kick as Campbell nodded down Nicky Cadden's delivery into Triantis. The Australian laid it into the path of Levitt, who finished with aplomb by slotting past Amissah with a controlled strike.

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In the first of three additional minutes at the end of the first half we went close to adding to our lead when the Cadden combo combined brilliantly.  Chris’ cross from the right caught out Brown at the back post and Nicky’s powerful strike was only just deflected into the side netting by Amissah.

Neither side made any changes during the interval as we started the second period purposefully when Campbell ran onto Gayle’s lay-off before shooting over the bar from the edge of the County area.

Dylan Levitt appeared to pick up a knock that hee was unable to run off and he made way for the final 25 minutes to be replaced by Nathan Moriah-Welsh. Gray opting to change Nicky Cadden with Jordan Obita at the same time.

County made several changes to try and get back into the game, however, they continued to struggle to create meaningful opportunities as we defended comfortably.

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With 17 minutes remaining it took a fine save from Amissah to stop us increasing our lead after he beat away Boyle’s vicious effort at his near post.

County substitute MacLeod dragged his side’s first effort at goal in the second half well wide of the target as frustration grew in the home stands.

Into the final three minutes and County were awarded their second spot kick of the afternoon when Smith was adjudged to have tripped Kieron Phillips after he got to a Robesten cross. Ronan Hale stepped up and sent Smith the wrong way to level the scores.

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The equaliser was a cruel blow to a Hibs defence that had stood solid all afternoon and the boys refused to let their heads drops as they pushed for a winner in time added on.

In the first of five additional minutes Warren O’Hora rose to send a looping header goalward from Obita’s free kick that Amissah gathered.

Then in the 94th minute Chris Cadden’s shot was blocked before Boyle’s effort from the rebound was deflected wide as the home defence put their bodies on the line.

In the end, the points were shared in the Highlands - despite the frustrating end to the game, we extended our unbeaten run to nine games.

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