Hibs came from behind to grab a share of the points against St Mirren at Easter Road this afternoon.
David Gray made five changes to his starting XI after exited the Conference League in extra-time on Thursday in Poland.
Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley and Jack Iredale came into the defence, with Miguel Chaiwa, who impressed against Legia Warsaw, and record signing Thibault Klidje making first league starts after signing in the summer. Veteran winger Junior Hoilett also started.
Warren O’Hora, Jordan Obita, Josh Mulligan, Kieron Bowie and former St Mirren midfielder Jamie McGrath all dropped to the bench.
There was a one-minute applause before the start of the match in memory of Rod Petrie, who sadly passed away 10 days ago and held the posts of chief executive and Chairman of Hibs over a 20-year period.
The visitors had the first chance when Jordon Smith did well to tip a Mika Mandron strike past the post.
Hibs should have taken the lead in the 8th minute when Martin Boyle got to the bye-line and cuts the ball back perfectly Hoilett but his strike from eight yards rebounded off the bar.
Hibs dominated possession and created a number of chances. After a superb move Chris Cadden’s cross was headed over by Saints midfielder Killian Phillips.
Boyle tried his luck next but Miguel Freckleton blocked the forward’s shot.
That was the extent of the play in the first half.
Hibs had a penalty claim denied shortly after the restart when Rocky Bushiri went down in the box but the referee wasn’t interested.
But it was the visitors that took the lead when a debatable free kick found Miguel Freckleton who bundled the ball past Smith. Several St Mirren players were in offside positions but the referee decided that they were not interfering with play and after a VAR check the goal was given.
McGrath, Mulligan and Bowie replaced Boyle, Chris Cadden and Hoilett before the restart.
The lead didn’t last long and Hibs equlised when Nicky Cannen’s corner was flicked on by Klidje and Bushiri was at the back post to bundle the ball home with his midriff – the centre-half’s fourth of the season.
Hibs almost took the lead when Nicky Cadden’s cross struck Mulligan’s shins and flew towards goal but goalkeeper Shamal George blocked the effort.
Bowie and Mulligan both had efforts as Hibs pressed for the victory.
There was drama at the end when Klidje’s hacks towards goal struck Jayden Richardson’s arm. The ball was cleared and the referee blew for full-time pending a VAR check but the devision went in favour of the visitors.
After the final whistle Gray told BBC Scotland: “We find ourselves a goal down, we have to settle with a point because at least the players fight right until the very end.
“I feel, for us to keep improving, the game should be out of sight. The chances we missed first half, big moments in the game. If we take our chances and we’re more clinical, it’s a very different afternoon.
“St Mirren are a constant threat, they’re always in the game. We reacted well, pushed towards the very end. I can’t fault the players’ effort. Their character was tested again today and there’s loads of positives to take from it.”
Hibs: Smith, Bushiri, Hanley, Iredale, C Cadden, Chaiwa, Levitt, N Cadden, Hoilett, Boyle, Klidje.
Substitutes: Sallinger, O’Hora, Bowie, McGrath, Mulligan, Obita, Megwa, Campbell, Molotnikov.
St Mirren: George, Fraser, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson, Phillips, Baccus, O’Hara, John, Ayunga, Mandron.
Substitutes: Mullen, Sobowale, King, Tanser, Taylor, Idowu, Dijksteel, Calvin, Mooney.
