A Luke Bolton strike in stoppage time handed Dundee United a late, late draw against Hibs, the game finishing 1-1 thanks to United’s super stopper.
Kyle Magennis’ cross after 11 minutes opened the scoring, Arabs keeper Benjamin Siegrist having an outstanding first 45 to keep things competitive. That theme continued in the second half as the home team didn’t add to their solitary strike, Manchester City loanee Bolton punishing them with a strike in the dying embers of the game.
Jack Ross’ side had plenty of momentum heading into this, progressing to the League Cup semi-finals and hitting as high as second courtesy of recent form. Micky Mellon’s team were looking to take some of that from their hosts after a couple of defeats and Covid-19 problems.
Two minutes in and they had Siegrist to thank for it being 0-0. Christian Doidge’s header was somehow palmed by the Swiss keeper as it rocketed towards the net, clawing away the rebound too in stunning fashion.
It wasn’t to serve as a wake-up call for United as Magennis would scored nine minutes later. The midfielder’s cross didn’t meet Doidge’s head as looked to be intended but it also left Siegrist with no chance of saving it.
The Tangerines had a chance to reply five minutes later, Marc McNulty breaking on his former side before setting up Lawrence Shankland, who’s effort wasn’t strong enough to hit the net.
Siegrist was saving United’s blushes though, making two point-blank saves from Martin Boyle then Doidge again as he stopped Hibs from going two or three ahead. They settled slightly more as the half wore on.
Ross must have wondered what more his side had to do to score. Boyle was played in brilliantly by Paul McGinn but again Siegrist stood tall to make an excellent save, his contributions vital in the first-half.
Mellon brought centre-back Ryan Edwards off for winger Luke Bolton in an attacking change early in the second half, United soon claiming for a penalty but it was waved away. Up the other end Hibs decided to go shortly after, again Siegrist pulled out a remarkable save.
Chance after chance was coming for Hibs and Kevin Nisbet had his first big one 18 minutes from time, his shot from 18 yards out narrowly wide. Another big chance was missed 10 minutes later, Doidge this time missing the net.
All these missed chances would soon be punished, a ball in from the right finding Bolton free at the back of the six-yard box, tapping into an empty net to hand Dundee United what seemed an unlikely point. Here are three things we learned.
Super Siegrist
The Dundee United keeper is in top form at the moment. He was the sole reason this game wasn’t done at half-time. More saves were needed on top of this after half-time, and with some luck too, the scoreline was low.
He’s arguably Mellon’s biggest player right now, certainly their most in-form. With January on the horizon, Mellon may be trying to work out a way to hide his keeper’s form from those in search of a new number one.
Taking your chances
At a quick glance, 1-0 may suggest that things were close between Hibs and Dundee United. But the game was never dead due to the form of Siegrist, this was far from your traditional 1-0 affair.
On another day, Hibs may have found themselves three or four goals up, Mellon’s men not looking entirely comfortable at the back while going forward they offered little. That mattered not though, as Bolton’s late strike got them a valuable 1-1 scoreline.
Contrasting moods
Football’s a fickle game at the best of times and this was a prime example of it. The emotions completely flipped inside the final couple of minutes after a game of one-way traffic.
Hibs were so comfortable in this and second place looked to be in the bag, but Siegrist’s saves meant Mellon’s men had a chance, pain turning into pleasure when the leveller hit the net. The visitors will be much happier with the point.
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