HIbs lucky but Nish resolute

The Easter Road outfit face a hazardous trip to Ross County's Dingwall home at Victoria Park next Tuesday after failing to dispose of the First Division side in Edinburgh.

They'll do so knowing they could well have been denied even a replay as Staggies' midfielder Martin Scott saw Ian Murray and Graham Stack deny him a sensational last-minute winner, the defender taking his initial shot off the line before his effort from the rebound smacked into the face of the Hibs goalkeeper.

Today, Nish conceded John Hughes' players enjoyed a narrow escape but insisted he and his team-mates only have themselves to blame for having the prospect of a 330-mile round trip in a week's time having twice been ahead at home.

The prize for the eventual winners will be a semi-final clash with former Hibs boss Tony Mowbray's Celtic but Nish refused to countenance any thought of that match, adamant any such discussion would be pointless at this stage.

Instead Nish, who will be idle through suspension once again as his team-mates face Hearts at Tynecastle in the third Edinburgh derby of the season this Saturday, insisted his entire focus remains on making the most of a second chance to book a berth in the Cup's last four.

The 6ft 3in striker admitted, however, that a replay was the last thing on his mind as he dropped to his knees to apply the finishing touch to a Chris Hogg shot to put Hibs ahead against County after just six minutes.

And, although Derek Adams's team equalised thanks to a crazy own goal, Michael Gardyne's shot crashing off the chest of Stack, onto the helpless Murray and into the net, Nish had few worries for Hibs' well-being as Derek Riordan's strike quickly restored their lead.

However, slack defending gifted Gardyne an equaliser 11 minutes from time, putting the Hibs support on the edge of their seats as County charged forward in search of a winner, a collective sigh of relief emanating from Easter Road as Hughes' players enjoyed that last-gasp escape.

Nish said: "It was a dream start and I thought we might go on from there but when they got that own goal I have to admit I wondered if it was going to be our day.

"It was a bizarre goal. Then Derek scores right away to put us in front again but in the second half you have to agree County were the better side and we were maybe lucky to get away with a replay."

Having said that, Nish admitted a third goal for Hibs would probably have finished the match and it almost came as he latched onto a ball over the top from Riordan only to see his attempt to chip County goalkeeper Michael McGovern creep inches over the bar.

He said: "It wasn't an easy chance but I thought I could nick it over him but after getting my shot away it went over. I could hear the crowd but didn't know whether it had gone in or not, unfortunately it didn't."

While County made the most of that escape, Nish admitted he and his team-mates had no excuses for not holding onto their slender lead until the final whistle which was greeted by the sound no player wants to hear, jeers from his own supporters.

The 29-year-old said: "It was disappointing to hear but you can understand it, the expectations have been raised. But it wasn't only the fans who weren't happy, the gaffer and we players feel exactly the same way.

"To be honest, we know we can play a lot better than we did on Saturday, in fact we haven't played as well as we can for a few weeks now. Perhaps we've been lucky this time and it will give us the kick up the backside.

"We were playing very well not so long ago and there's no reason why we shouldn't get back to those standards."

While accepting Adams and his players will approach next week's match full of confidence having given Hibs such a scare in the first competitive match between the two clubs, Nish insisted Hughes' side won't be full of fear as they head for Dingwall.

He said: "The consolation is that we are still in the Cup, that's the main thing. We've given ourselves a hell of a job, they will be confident having come down here to not only hold us to a 2-2 draw but to have come so close to winning it.

"But we are more than capable of going up there and winning, I still think we will be favourites."

Nish also believes any element of surprise which County may have enjoyed has also now gone with he and his team-mates in no doubt as to the task ahead of them in the Highlands.

He said: "We've had a chance to size them up but we shouldn't have needed a replay. We should have been professional enough at 2-1 to take care of the game and hold on for a win. We didn't but there are no excuses, we all have to take responsibility for what happened and ensure when we go up there next week we finish the job off."

Hibs and County, of course, now know Celtic await them next month but Nish said: "It wouldn't have mattered how the draw for the semi-finals came out because we can't think about it unless we win next Tuesday.

"It's a bit disappointing to have to replay the game but if we get to Hampden I am sure we'll be delighted regardless."