Hibs 1 - 1 St Johnstone, match report

Hibs ended a run of three successive defeats but had to settle for a single point as two penalties saw their fourth clash of the season against St Johnstone end in a draw.

• Colin Nish is brought down by St Johnstone goalkeeper Graeme Smith

Anthony Stokes had given the Easter Road side the perfect start, netting from the spot after Saints goalkeeper Graeme Smith had brought down Colin Nish but the McDiarmid Park outfit deservedly hauled themselves level after referee Alan Muir judged the ball had struck Liam Miller's arm, allowing Liam Craig to hammer home an 83rd minute equaliser.

A minute's applause before the match marked the passing of former Hibs stars Alan Gordon and Bobby Smith, officials, players and fans alike paying tribute to the pair who died within a few days of each other.

Hibs got off to the perfect start with the opening goal within two minutes, Nish and Stokes in a delightful exchange of passes which allowed the former free passage into Saints penalty area where he was up-ended by goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

Referee Alan Muir had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, Stokes stepping up to claim his 17th goal of the season as he sent Smith the wrong way.

Thereafter the Perth outfit enjoyed superior possession without overtroubling the Hibs back four and Graham Stack although the goalkeeper had to twice get down to save a shot and then a tame header from Kenny Deuchar.

Hibs, however, were well capable of hitting on the counter-attack and did so with Liam Miller threading a ball through for Nish who was hurried into a shot which was easily held by Smith.

A gusting wind wasn't helping either side nor a miserable performance from referee Muir, who produced the yellow card three times in the opening eight minutes despite the fact only four fouls had been committed. The home fans in particular were incensed at a string of decisions which went against their side while players from both teams were becoming obviously frustrated at the official's lack of consistency.

Saints began the second half on the attack, Dave Mackay and Cillian Sheridan blazing wide in the opening minutes before Murray Davidson went down under the combined challenge of Chris Hogg and David Wotherspoon, the visitors' vehement penalty claims waved away and manager Derek McInnes spoken to following his reaction to the incident.

It was backs-to-the-wall stuff at times for Hibs, Sheridan's shot deflected over before Nish led a counter charge which should have brought a second goal and some breathing space for John Hughes' hard-pressed players, feeding Miller who passed out for Derek Riordan who saw his low shot saved.

Riordan had another opportunity seconds later when Stokes and Nish combined to allow him to round Smith only for Mackay to get back and knock his shot from a tight angle behind for a fruitless corner.

Then Miller provided room for Nish to evade the offside trap but he wanted too much time and the opportunity was lost.

Szaaints did get themselves back on level terms in controversial circumstances in the 83rd minutee, again from the penalty spot. Davidson swung a leg at Mackay's cross, knocking the ball off Miller's arm although the Republic of Ireland star furiously argued he could hardly have got out of the way.

Neverthelss, a penalty it was and Craig fairly hammered the ball beyond Stack, setting up a nail-biting finale as Saints went for a winner and Hibs grimly held on.

Hibs: Stack, Wotherspoon, Hogg, Bamba, Murray, Miller, McBride (Zemmama 83), Stevenson, Stokes, Nish, Riordan, Subs not used: Smith, Cregg, Rankin, Thicot, Gow, Benjelloun.

St Johnstone: Smith, Mackay, Anderson, Duberry, Grainger (Samuel 78), Millar, Davidson, Moon, Craig, Deuchar, Sheridan (Morais 78). Subs not used: Main, Connolly, Irvine, Sheerin, Milne.

Referee: Alan Muir.