Ross County vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
Global Energy Stadium.
Match report as Billy McKay's opener is cancelled out by Martin Boyle penalty and Kevin Nisbet strike at the Global Energy Stadium
Saturday 13 March 2021 20:42, UK
Kevin Nisbet's first goal in nine games earned Hibernian a 2-1 Scottish Premiership win at Ross County.
Billy Mckay put the hosts in front in the 50th minute, but Martin Boyle equalised from the penalty spot three minutes later and second-half substitute Nisbet completed the comeback with a 60th-minute strike.
A lack of quality in the final third meant chances were at a premium in the first half.
Hibs had most of the ball but struggled to break their opponents down and it was in keeping with the game that the best opportunity of the half came from a defensive error by Leo Hjelde.
The on-loan Celtic defender sold Ross Laidlaw short with a back pass, allowing Martin Boyle to nip in and take the ball.
He was forced too wide to have a shot at goal himself, though, eventually picking out Chris Cadden, who sliced his effort over the bar.
But the game burst into life after the restart and County were the first to find the net.
Jason Naismith's high ball into the box held up slightly in the air, allowing Jordan White to cushion it down for Mckay to slot past Ofir Marciano.
Hibs were soon level. Alex Iacovitti was adjudged to have taken down Boyle inside the area - a decision that left the Staggies incensed - and the Australian stepped up himself to dispatch the spot kick.
Hibs struck again on the hour mark through Nisbet.
Laidlaw saved from Boyle and Alex Gogic in the build-up, but County could not clear their lines and Nisbet got on the end of Paul Hanlon's ball across the face of goal to finish.
Both sides continued the create chances, with White seeing a header from a Hjelde free-kick strike a post for County and at the other end Nisbet forcing Laidlaw into a fingertip save.
County could not find an equaliser, though, ensuring they remained four points above basement boys Kilmarnock and three clear of Hamilton, while Hibs extended their lead in third over Aberdeen to six points.
Ross County boss John Hughes on penalty decision: "I am expecting better from John Beaton to see what was up, but he only gets one look at it.
"Boyle then dived again on the far side, but John decided not to take any action because it would have been a second yellow and a red. The last time I saw a dive like that the boy had Speedos on.
"That's what I was talking to him about at the end. You need to see it, that's what you get paid for and we expect better than that.
"It just seems that up at Ross County it's easy to give penalties. I'm not having a go at referees, I'm in it with them and they have decisions to make and have to make it instantly. I can look at a monitor and see, they can't do that.
"I thought the second goal was offside at first, then I saw it again and it wasn't - so I admitted that to the fourth official. That penalty though - not for me."
Hibernian boss Jack Ross: "I don't think he conned the referee. I've seen it - he turns the wrong side of the defenders. I certainly don't think he dived.
"In the second half the game becomes open. You might say it wasn't pretty, but I thought we were excellent in the first half, really dominant.
"We've not been brilliant this season at coming from behind in games, so to do that, with the reaction we showed, is pleasing.
"The whole lead up was that this is the biggest game of the season for us. Now the next one becomes the biggest game, there's still a lot to do."
Livingston host Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday March 20 at 3pm. Ross County travel to face St Johnstone at the same time.
