Hibs’ Head coach Neil Lennon blamed a poor refereeing performance from Nick Walsh for his team losing their 100% league record at Easter Road yesterday.
Hibs completely dominated the first half before Jason Cummings gave them the lead in the 49th minute with a spectacular 25 yard strike and Lennon’s men appeared to be cruising to victory before Walsh controversially producing a red card to Marvin Bartley following a challenge on Jamie Adams.
That decision changed the game and United scored twice in the latter stages to secure a shock victory.
Speaking to Hibernian TV immediately after the final whistle Lennon said: “We paid the price for a poor refereeing performance and a decision that ultimately influenced the course of the game.
“It’s not a sending off. He has gone in with one leg. He’s low, off the ground and there’s no malice in it. He’s caught the guy late which was going on all over the pitch.
“We will have to look at it but I don’t think we got much from the referee today. I don’t know how many yellow cards there were today but there were plenty.
“Teams come here to make life as difficult as possible and that’s what happened today.
Could we have been a few ahead before they scored? No question.
“When we were down to ten men we didn’t handle that as well as I would have liked.
“We had good control of the game for a long time but we have to stop being wasteful in front of goal because things like that happen sometimes.
“We can’t keep relying on Jason. it was a great goal and again he had chances after that to put the game to bed but I’m looking at other players and we lack a bit of composure in front of goal for some reason.
“We had all the possession. They had the ball in our box twice and scored two goals. From a defensive point of view we have been outstanding. It’s annoying to lose a goal from a set play. That’s a real bugbear of mine and it’s unacceptable.
“The second goal happened because we were down to ten men and were stretched but I have nothing but praise for the players. We have been brilliant so far. We have to regroup and go again.
“All the talk has been about our 100% record which is good and it’s disappointing that its gone but I think this team is capable of going again.
“I’ve not seen any complacency. I thought the attitude was good but it was just that lack of quality which can happen sometimes.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
