MILLWALL’S loss continues to be Hibernian’s gain. The decision to reject a £1m offer from the Championship club for Ryan Porteous late in the transfer window paid instant dividends as he helped secure a vital three points for Hibs on a chilly night in Paisley.
On as a half-time replacement for Darren McGregor, Porteous needed just 10 minutes to make an impression, fastening on to Martin Boyle’s corner to bullet in a header from around six yards out.
It is mainly for his defensive qualities that Hibs were so keen to retain the 21 year-old but here was further evidence that he is a handy man to have in the opposition box as well.
Boyle later added a second from the penalty spot, providing the necessary cushion after 10-man St Mirren later narrowed the deficit through Jon Obika.
“I’m pleased with the result especially given St Mirren's recent form and delighted with the performance too,” said Jack Ross, the Hibs manager, after his team moved up into third.
"We thought the game would suit Ryan because we would have a lot of possession and that's why we put him on. And his biggest impact was obviously scoring with the set piece. It shows the maturity of him to handle what has happened in the past four or five days.”
The match turned on the red card shown to Jak Alnwick after 36 minutes, with St Mirren comfortable until that point and enjoying the bulk of possession.
A moment of madness from Jake Doyle-Hoyes, however, proved costly. His pass back to Alnwick was weak and the goalkeeper raced out to try to beat Boyle to the ball.
Having failed to do so, Alnwick did the next best thing by taking out the player. Referee Alan Muir had little choice but to send him off.
Out from the cold and into the even colder conditions emerged reserve goalkeeper Dean Lyness for his first St Mirren first-team appearance since December 2018, with Kristian Dennis – who had looked lively with two decent strikes on goal – sacrificed.
It was no surprise that Hibs enjoyed their first shot on target shortly afterwards, a move that set the tone for a second half that Hibs mostly dominated.
St Mirren haven’t beaten Hibs for four years – when Ross was still their manager – and they will feel they would have had a decent chance here if not for Alnwick’s dismissal.
“We looked as if we were controlling the game in terms of the possession,” said manager Jim Goodwin. “But the sending off is a huge turning point. Hibs are a decent side and it’s hard enough to play against them with 11 men. So when you find yourself with a man less it becomes a very long evening for you unfortunately.”
Kevin Nisbet started on the bench again for Hibs after his proposed move to Birmingham City collapsed on deadline day, Ross deciding to stick with the same starting line-up that had beaten Dundee United at the weekend.
In his absence Hibs looked toothless in attack prior to Alnwick’s dismissal, with Christian Doidge and Boyle starved of any significant service. Nisbet emerged not long after Porteous’ opener as Hibs began to turn the screw.
A second goal after 70 minutes seemed to all but settle the encounter. Marcus Fraser tugged back Jamie Murphy in the box and Boyle fair rattled in the penalty.
St Mirren, to their credit, didn’t throw in the towel and got one back just four minutes later. Jamie McGrath sent Dylan Connolly sprinting clear and his cutback was knocked in at the back post by Obika.
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