Hibernian humbled at home

Rowan Vine hit a brace as St Johnstone climbed above Hibernian and into fourth spot in the SPL table on Monday with a 3-1 win at Easter Road.

Last Updated: 12/02/13 at 06:42 Post Comment

Rowan Vine (c): Hit two goals

Rowan Vine (c): Hit two goals

Patrick Cregg was also on the scoresheet with a goal against his former employers, on a night when Steven MacLean failed to convert from the penalty spot to boost the scoreline further.

Leigh Griffiths did manage to pull a goal back for the home side late on but his effort failed to spark a comeback.

The game sparked into life when Saints took the lead after 22 minutes. MacLean saw his point-blank effort blocked by goalkeeper Ben Williams before Vine pounced to rifle home the rebound from eight yards.

Vine grabbed his second of the night just four minutes later when he cut inside from the left and sent a superb swerving right-foot shot beyond the grasp of the Hibs goalkeeper.

The Perth club had the chance to add to their tally further when referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot on 33 after Ryan McGivern had felled Mehdi Abeid in the box.

Despite Vine chasing a hat-trick, it was MacLean who stepped up for the spot-kick and he was denied a goal of his own when Williams dived to his left to block with what was his fifth penalty save of the season.

Saints still looked dangerous and Abeid was not too far away when he dragged his shot across the face of goal and inches past the upright.

The first half had been frustrating for Hibs and boss Pat Fenlon made a double switch five minutes after the restart, with Paul Cairney and Jorge Claros thrown into the action for Gary Deegan and Alan Maybury.

But it was the visitors who had the net bulging again after 59 minutes.

An impressive passing move culminated with Murray Davidson teeing up the shot for Cregg on the six-yard line and he supplied a composed finish with only the goalkeeper to beat.

There was to be no match ball for Vine when he made way for Nigel Hasselbaink with 20 minutes to go.

Griffiths netted for the home side after 81 minutes when he latched onto a long ball through the middle and lashed past Alan Mannus but the strike proved to be too little, too late for Hibs.

Hasselbaink then had the ball in the net in injury time but a free-kick had already been awarded to the home side.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Sunday, 19 May 2013
12:45
Dundee Utd 0-4 Celtic  
Ross Co 1-0 Inverness  
St J'stone 2-0 Motherwell  
Saturday, 18 May 2013
15:00
Aberdeen 1-1 Hearts Report
Hibernian 1-0 Dundee Report
Kilmarnock 1-3 St Mirren Report
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
19:45
Kilmarnock 1-3 Hibernian  
Sunday, 12 May 2013
16:05
Motherwell 2-0 Ross Co Report
12:00
Hearts 1-2 Hibernian Report
Saturday, 11 May 2013
15:00
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock  

Clydesdale Bank Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Celtic 38 57 79
2 Motherwell 38 16 63
3 St J'stone 38 1 56
4 Inverness 38 4 54
5 Ross Co 38 -1 53
6 Dundee Utd 38 -11 47
7 Hibernian 38 -3 51
8 Aberdeen 38 -2 48
9 Kilmarnock 38 -1 45
10 Hearts 38 -9 44
11 St Mirren 38 -13 41
12 Dundee 38 -38 30

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

Footer 365

Eight in frame for Everton job

Everton are understood to have identified eight potential candidates to replace David Moyes as manager at Goodison Park.

Ferran Soriano says it's time for new era at Manchester City after Roberto Mancini sacked

Chief executive Ferran Soriano says Manchester City are 'just looking for the next cycle' after sacking Roberto Mancini.

TP disappointed to leave Stoke

Tony Pulis is disappointed to have left Stoke but understands the board's wish to take the club in a different direction.

Mail Box

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved