Frustrated Nick Montgomery admitted supporter anger was understandable after Hibernian’s hopes of finishing in the top six suffered a damaging blow.
Hibs were jeered off after a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to relegation-threatened St Johnstone in which Tony Gallacher scored a late winner after Chris Cadden had cancelled out Adama Sidibeh’s opener for the Perth side.
The result did not quite kill off Hibs’ faltering top-six bid because sixth-placed Dundee suffered a 3-2 loss at home to Motherwell.
However, the Dark Blues, who remain a point ahead of the Edinburgh side, now have two bites at the cherry, against Rangers and Aberdeen, to get the points they need to finish above Hibs, who have one pre-split fixture left, away to Motherwell next Saturday.
Saturday’s results mean there is also now a scenario where the Fir Park side could pip both Hibs and Dundee to the last remaining top-six spot if they defeat Montgomery’s side in Lanarkshire.
“It was a game we knew we needed to win,” said the rueful Hibs boss. “We expected three points and everybody expected three points but that’s football, it’s a cruel game.
“We had 72 per cent possession and we lose to a team that had two shots on target.
“We have to accept that’s not good enough, two lapses of concentration in a game where you need maximum concentration.
“I can understand the frustrations. I’m frustrated, the players are frustrated – it’s a game without doubt we should have won. We have to be better in both boxes and that’s what let us down today.
“I’m frustrated for the fans because if we had won today then we would have put big pressure on the teams above us and it would have been more comfortable going into the last game.
“We have to keep going and hope results will go for us.”
The win took Saints five points clear of second-bottom Ross County in the battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot.
Manager Craig Levein was delighted to see his team dig out the result he felt they merited after an encouraging display in their 2-1 loss at home to Dundee in their previous match.
“We had a huge feeling of frustration after last week’s performance that we didn’t manage to get at least a point, maybe all three points, but we more than made up for that today with a similar performance,” said the Saints boss.
“We have been a little bit up and down but that’s us put two really good performances together in a row. We are creating chances and we are solid defensively which is not a bad combination.
“This one was big because of the points, but last week was the foundation for today.”
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