WHEN confirmation of Hearts' defeat by Dundee was announced to those making their way towards the exits at Easter Road yesterday, it was for the benefit of a home support who seldom shy away from a chance to giggle at the misfortunes of their city rivals.
That it was also of some interest to St Mirren fans seemed less of a laughing matter.
The frustration the visiting support will have felt after their side surrendered a winning position with just four minutes to go will have been exacerbated by the immediate reminder their place in the Scottish Premier League next season is not settled. Not yet. The Paisley club sit eight points above bottom side Dundee in the table with nine still to play for, a fact that will cause some supporters to shift uncomfortably.
"We must congratulate Dundee for their run...you guys in the media must be loving it," said Danny Lennon in a tone which suggested he certainly is not. A draw with Hearts next weekend could prove enough to lift the St Mirren manager – and his side – out of reach of Dundee – although it is a point which should not have to be made. Leigh Griffiths tucked a shot into the net in the 86th minute yesterday to squirrel away a point for Hibs, although Lennon was more galled by how long his players took to make their presence known. "We will deal with that internally," he said.
His tone seemed darker given how brightly his players had performed in the second half, Esmael Goncalves putting a belatedly decisive touch to Gary Teale's cross to draw St Mirren level after an hour and cancel out Griffiths' 31st-minute opener.
Marc McAusland then repeated the trick with a looping header 17 minutes later after substitute Ross Caldwell had reclaimed Hibs' advantage. The St Mirren defender scored with another header after 83 minutes – and from another Teale cross – to put his side in front for the first time, but an unexpectedly frantic match was evened out by Griffiths' late tap-in.
It seemed fitting the on-loan Wolves striker would supply a late twist since earlier frissons of excitement had mostly been down to him. One run in which he ignored challenges from Teale and David Van Zanten ended with an untidy cross into the stand, but also a round of applause.
The 22-year-old is favourite to win the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award, but it is perhaps more instructive to consider the value of those on the periphery of his spotlight. Alex Harris and Danny Handling, both products of the club's youth system, have been drafted into the Hibs midfield in recent weeks as reinforcements, with their efforts against St Mirren encouraging, if at times unrefined. "They were first class," said manager Pat Fenlon.
The teenagers combined in the lead-up to Hibs' opener, shuttling possession between each other before Handling slipped the ball to Griffiths, who cut inside and thrust a powerful drive past Craig Samson. It was a goal which seemed to vindicate the actions of his younger team-mates and Handling was emboldened further when he found substitute Caldwell on the edge of the penalty area after 68 minutes; thumping in his first goal of the season. It was left to a more familiar figure to make sure Hibs had something to show for it, though.
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