Mixed bag as Hibs battle back for potentially precious point - ratings from Pittodrie

Mixed bag as Hibs battle back for potentially precious point – ratings from Pittodrie

Hibs fought back from 2-1 down to earn a battling pointagainst Aberdeen at Pittodrie – but still left the Granite City feeling aggrievedover the denial of an apparent stonewall penalty. On a day when VAR overturnedan obviously incorrect offside decision to rule that substitute EmilianoMarcondes’ equaliser should stand, an earlier non-decision not to penalise a clear Nicky Devlin handball left Nick Montgomery’s men – still withouta league win since December 9 – wondering what might have been.

A goal apiece inside the opening quarter hour, Devlin’sclose-range effort cancelling out Martin Boyle’s opener just moments earlier, setthe tone for an afternoon of penalty-box hijinks and hilarity. A Jamie McGrath strikeearly in the second half put the Dons into the lead early in the second half –before Marcondes made it 2-2. It could have been worse. And might have beenbetter.

Set up to contain Neil Warnock’s Aberdeen, squeeze at theright moments and hit on the break, Monty’s men capitalised on a horribleclearance by Dons goalie Kelle Roos to open the scoring after just 11 minutes. JoeNewell returned the sclaffed kickout into the danger area, Myziane Maolidashowed great strength and touch to roll Stevan Gartenmann before finding Boyle,who rounded Roos before slotting home from a tight angle.

The visitors could only hold onto their lead four three minutes.And no-one among the travelling support would have been surprised that the homeside’s equaliser came from the second ball at a set-piece; it’s been arecurring flaw in this defence.

Although the initial Dons free-kick from out wide didn’tclear the first man, the Hibs line was ragged when the ball was played back infrom a central area, Nectar Triantis – who had conceded the foul to create theopportunity for the home side – playing Bojan Miovski onside. David Marshalldid well to stop the striker’s effort, but Devlin beat Triantis to the rebound,sliding into score from close range.

Aberdeen had two clearcut chances to take the lead before thehalf-time. Marshall reacting brilliantly to foil in-form Miovski in aone-on-one, before Leighton Clarkson hit the post from the centre-forward’sastute cut-back. Hibs still looked dangerous on the break, although the VARcheck for Devlin’s risky use of that mighty left arm – which was extended fromhis body and clearly moved TOWARDS the Jordan Obita delivery from way out on theleft wing – was as close as they got to a goal before the interval.

They were buzzing in and around the home penalty box withintent often enough, the trickery of Elie Youan and the energy of NathanMoriah-Welsh threatening to open gaps in the red line. Just without finding afinishing touch.

If Aberdeen weren’t exactly lethal in the final third, theydidn’t need to be. Because they were handed the lead on a silver platter byHibs, who failed to cope with a low cross from the left, allowing McGrath timeto set himself and score from close range.

The introduction of Marcondes and Jair Tavares made adifference for the visitors. As shown when the former tucked away Newell’ssharp cut-back with 66 minutes gone. That it took another two minutes for VARto overrule the initial offside call against Newell only delayed thecelebrations among the green-and-white ranks. Clear and obvious though, right?

The loss of first-choice goalie David Marshall to injury inthe closing stages was an obvious concern to Hibs, who had chances to win. Butsettled for a point from a contest that grew increasingly ill-tempered duringthe TEN minutes of time added on.

How Hibs rated:

GK David Marshall 7/10

Veterangoalie made a huge one-on-one stop from in-form Miovksi. Just one of several bigsaves. Injured and replaced by Wollacott late on.

RB LewisMiller 6/10

Beaten fartoo easily by Duk for the cross leading to the second Dons goal. Better goingforward.

CB Will Fish5/10

Culpable atthe second Aberdeen goal, when he couldn’t get his feet in order to thwartMcGrath.

CB NectarTriantis 5/10

Every game isa thrill ride with the young Aussie at centre-half. Clearly talented. But it’swhite-knuckle stuff.

LB JordanObita 6/10

One particularlygood delivery from the left SHOULD have won Hibs a penalty.

CM NathanMoriah-Welsh 6/10

Brought alot of energy and drive to midfield. Replaced by Marcondes just before the hourmark.

CM JoeNewell 7/10

Excellentlytimed run, nice footwork and perfect cutback for equaliser. All-roundperformance.

CM DylanLevitt 6/10

Looked afterthe ball well and still has the ability to play a really dangerous pass.Replaced by Amos for the closing 15 minutes.

W Elie Youan5/10

Infuriating,isn’t he? All that talent. Seen only in flashes. Continually turned back onhimself. Replaced by Jair.

CF MyzianeMaolida 7/10

Created the openerfor Boyle with his strength and subtlety. Provides a good focal point up top.

W Martin Boyle7/10

Took hischance to open the scoring brilliantly.  Aconstant threat often half a step ahead of his team-mates.

SUB EmilianoMarcondes 6/10

Superbfinish for the equaliser. Brought real menace from the bench when introducedafter 56 minutes.

SUB JairTavares 5/10

Replaced Youanearly in the second half. Struggled to get involved.

SUB LukeAmos NA

Thrown on forLevitt with 15 minutes to go.

SUB JoJo WollacottNA

Second-choicegoalie pressed into emergency service after 82 minutes. Made one straightforwardinjury-time save.

SUB Adam LeFondre NA

Given a laterun-out in place of Boyle.