Super sub Roddy Grant stunned Scottish Premier Division bottom club Hibernian
with an 83rd minute winner for St Johnstone.
Grant's unstoppable header soared into the roof of Chris Reid's net after a
beautifully flighted Alan Preston free kick from the left side of the Hibs
penalty area.
Hibs started much better with Kevin Harper showing a lot of skill and
creativity.
After only five minutes Andy Walker sent in a stunning 25-yard free-kick which
Saints goalkeeper Alan Main saved brilliantly.
Four minutes later St Johnstone created their first goal chance.
After good
link-up play between the Perth side's attackers George O'Boyle setting up
Phillip Scott.
But the young star, who has been watched by a whole host of top English sides,
saw his shot saved by Main's feet.
The 22nd minute saw one of the game's best moments for after clever play by
Phillip Scott, St Johnstone's Northern Ireland International George O'Boyle
showed terrific improvisation.
He sent a 20-yard chip floating over Chris Reid towards the net.
However to
the striker's disbelief the ball came bouncing back of the cross bar and was
then cleared by the Hibs defence.
Then after 31 minutes O'Boyle was again thwarted, this time by a splendid
fingertip save from Main.
A few minutes later former Hibs player Paul Kane was only just prevented from
creating an opening for himself due to the combined efforts of Chris Reid and
Willie Miller.
They did just enough to police the midfield playmaker away from
goal.
St Johnstone were gaining the upper hand, however, and just before the break
on-loan striker Walker sent a powerful header crashing off the crossbar,
after a very entertaining and pacey 30 yard run down the right flank by Kevin
Harper.
The second half opened with a great opportunity for Hibs.
After a very clever
low flighted ball from Stevie Crawford, little Walker sent a low diving
header goalwards with Main again producing a marvellous save.
St Johnstone had always looked very dangerous with O'Boyle and Scott in
particular forming a very good attacking partnership.
Hibs had a claim for a penalty turned down just before Grant's winner.
Walker appeared to have been brought down by St Johnstone's Nick Dasovic, just
before he was about to launch a shot goalward.
Teams
Hibernian: Reid, Miller, Boco, Dods, Dennis, Dow,
Harper (Lavety 68), Rougier, Crawford, Walker, McGinlay.
Subs Not Used: Charnley, Jackson.
Booked: Walker.
St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Davidson (Grant 79), Dasovic,
Weir, Kernaghan, Scott, O'Neil, Kane, O'Boyle, Preston.
Subs Not Used: McCluskey, Wright.
Booked: Dasovic.
Goals: Grant 83.
Att: 9,126
Ref: I Elmslie (Porthlethen).
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