Hibs 1 St Johnstone 2

May 3 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

AHEAD of Saturday's Easter Road encounter, Derek McInnes had warned his dejected St Johnstone players to remain positive in the face of adversity, writes Greg Christison.

Claiming several players had let their heads drop after losing their first goal to Inverness last Monday, McInnes demanded a spirited response if the same were to happen against Hibs.

The inspirational words from McInnes proved vital as the Perth club found themselves a goal behind at the interval after an Akpo Sodje first half strike.

Chasing their first goal in seven league games – the last ironically being an own goal from Hibs' Richie Towell on March 5 - Saints responded impressively, scoring twice to record their ninth victory of the season.

Lifting pressure off his team mates, Liam Craig equalised on 73 minutes – the first goal from a Saints player in 1107 minutes of SPL football – before Kevin Moon fired in an injury time winner, sending the 200-strong travelling support into a frenzy.

Overcoming a virus which kept him out of Monday night's match, Peter Enckelman returned to the team to replace Graeme Smith, whilst Moon, Jamie Adams and Peter MacDonald lined-up instead of Graham Gartland, Liam Craig and Stevie May.

Defenders Michael Duberry and Steven Anderson remained sidelined due to suspension and midfielder Liam Caddis missed out through injury.

After making the 40-mile trip down the M90, Saints optimistic fans didn't have much to sing about during the opening period, despite enjoying a fair amount of first half possession.

A Chris Millar cross on four minutes was met at the back-post by the head of Peter MacDonald, but was easily caught by Hibs Czech keeper Jakub Divis.

Struggling to attack several decent balls into the box following hard-work from Millar and Andy Jackson, Saints best first half effort came from Moon as an audacious chip from the left hand side of the Hibs box narrowly cleared the bar.

On 21 minutes, Ricardo Vaz Te turned inside Danny Grainger and unleashed a stinging left foot strike from twenty yards, forcing an impressive one-handed save from Peter Enckelman.

But Hibs broke the deadlock only one minute later. A Paul Hanlon long-ball from deep in his own half found Sodje, who sprinted away from Dave Mackay, lobbing a helpless Enckelman.

In contrast to the 3-0 Inverness defeat, Saints accepted the challenge and remained positive throughout the second-half.

Davidson shot inches wide of Divis' right hand post on 53 minutes after a Danny Invincible cut back before Grainger's direct free-kick seconds later scraped past the Hibs post.

Saints fans were then left with their heads in their hands as Maybury squandered an opportunity to pass the ball across goal to three players lining up to put the ball in the net, but instead opted to blast high over the bar from a tight angle.

But on 73 minutes, Saints three-month-long dismal run came to an end after Jackson won a corner off Hibs Lewis Stevenson.

Grainger's pinpoint delivery was missed by Victor Palsson and landed on the head of substitute Liam Craig, who bulleted a header passed a number of players standing on the Hibs goal-line before sprinting towards the euphoric Saints support.

With the goal drought over, St Johnstone came to life and Craig's fresh legs continued to provide problems for Hibs on the left hand side, while Millar continued to threaten on the right.

Moon sent a rash shot over the cross bar before a Jackson cross was knocked down by the head of Craig to Peter MacDonald, who - under pressure from Lewis Stevenson - was unable to turn the ball into the net from two yards.

When all hope of St Johnstone's first win since February 1 had all but disappeared, Jordan Robertson played an intelligent pass to Jackson, whose cross was tipped on to the bar. Craig picked up the loose ball and knocked it into the feet of Moon, who scrambled the ball into the net in the 92nd minute.

Overjoyed fans, players and staff celebrated as referee Crawford Allan blew the final whistle, leaving Saints sharing eighth position with the Edinburgh side, with both on 37 points.

The players disappeared down the tunnel to the chants of “Mooner” and “Saintees, we love you”. The fans, finally have something to sing about.

HIBERNIAN: Divis, Towell, Palsson, Dickoh, Hanlon, Stephens, Booth (Riordan 87), Scott (Galbraith 77), Stevenson, Vaz Te, Sodje (Wotherspoon 68)

Subs not used: Brown, Miller, Taggart, Hart

ST JOHNSTONE: Enckelman, Maybury, Grainger, Mackay, Davidson (Gartland 68), Adams, Moon, Millar, Invincible (Craig 62), Jackson, MacDonald (Robertson 87)

Subs not used: Smith, Durnan, May, Reynolds

REFEREE: Crawford Allan