Hibs, in a pulsating relegation battle, earned themselves a lifeline and a
standing ovation from their passionate supporters.
The game was played at 100 miles an hour and referee Stuart Dougal had a very
busy day as the challenges hammered in from everywhere.
The first shot came from Tony Rougier in five minutes when he fired over from
20 yards.
Motherwell striker Owen Coyle was booked for stopping Kevin Harper in full
flight. Then in the 20th minute the game drew to a flashpoint when the Hibs
battle for survival took on an even greater struggle against the odds. Defender
David Elliot received his marching orders in only 20 minutes for a rash lunge on
Motherwell's Simo Valikarri.
Bookings followed for Motherwell's Willie Falconer and Brian Martin adding to
one for Valikarri himself.
But the sending off seemed to inspire Hibs who went one up in the 34th minute
after a spectacular finish from striker Barry Lavety.
A Grant Brebner cross from the right could only be headed into Lavety's path
by Kevin Christie and the striker finished expertly in the bottom right hand
corner.
Motherwell started the second half playing more passes and Bryan Gunn did well
to hold a low cross from Billy Davies.
A minute later Owen Coyle tried an ambitious volley but misconnected.
In the 59th minute Hibs' Kevin Harper produced a dazzling run but his low
cross was too far from Lavety and trickled out to safety.
Within 60 seconds Harper produced another exciting run to send Rougier clean
through but the striker sent his shot inches wide.
Motherwell brought on Eric Garcin and almost immediately he had a 20-yard
free-kick well held by Bryan Gunn.
In the last ten minutes the tension was becoming unbearable for the Hibs
faithful who craved this win and in 80 minutes Kevin Harper's beautiful 20-yard
lob beat Stevie Woods but scraped the crossbar.
One minute later Hibs nearly regretted that miss when Gunn paid back manager
Alex McLeish's faith in signing him, with a miraculous point-blank save from
Motherwell goal-grabber Tommy Coyne.
Gunn was again the hero in injury time after doing well to keep out an Eric
Garcin header.
Teams:
Hibernian: Gunn, Miller, Elliot, Brebner, Dods, Welsh,
Harper (Dow 90), Rougier (Tosh 76), Crawford, Lavety (Donald 87),
McGinlay.
Sent Off: Elliot (20).
Goals: Lavety 34.
Motherwell: Woods, Christie (May 53), McMillan, Denham, Martin,
Falconer, Valikarri (Garcin 70), McCulloch (Ross 59), Coyne,
Davies, Coyle.
Booked: Martin, Falconer, Coyle, Valikarri.
Att: 10,582
Ref: S Dougal (Glasgow).
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