Hibs boss frustrated as Livingston fight back to snatch a point and keep fifth place

Hibs boss Jack Ross admitted to being frustrated at being held to a draw by Livingston, particularly as his side had missed a penalty onlyi to go ahead and then be pegged back.

Scott Allan saw his spot-kick saved by Livingston goalkeeper Robby McCrorie before Christian Doidge’s 17th goal of the season put Hibs ahead only for Aaron Taylor-Sinclair to level the match just six minutes later.

His goal prevented the capital club leapfrogging Livingston and into fifth spot in the Premiership table and Ross’ frustration was heightened by results elsewhere in the fight to finish third, Aberdeen beaten at home by Ross County while Motherwell were held to a draw by struggling Hamilton.

Ross said: “It was a frustrating afternoon for us, not because it was a draw but the way the draw has come around. We’ve given ourselves a chance to go ahead which we didn’t take and then went ahead and then being pegged back.

“I don’t think we were great today but I still think we dominated the ball and most of the territory so when you add that in it’s frustrating we didn’t take more from the game.

“Not so long ago we were talking about earning points to get us away from trouble now it’s frustration about dropping points because you want to finish third. That’s the positive side, that’s where discussions are around for us.”

Asked if knowing his side had passed up the chance not only to overhaul Livingston but close in on the teams above them added to his disappointment, he said: “A little bit, I tend not to get too worried about that. The frustration is because of our performance and result, that’s what I look at because that;s all we can affect.

“It adds to it a little bit just because of the way the result comes about. Had we been behind in the game and maybe rode our luck you would say would be saying that’s okay but we had the penalty and missed it and then we went ahead and looked ok in the game.

“It’s all ifs, buts and maybes when you get to that point. But the truth is we’re still a point closer to Aberdeen than we would have been if both teams had won.

“It is what it is. Our record post-break has been really good and I have just emphasised that to the players, we said we weren’t at our best today but we’re still proud of what we have done over the last eight or nine games now.”