Hibernian 3-2 Ross County: Daryl Horgan's late goal sets up Aberdeen tie
- Published
David Gray and Daryl Horgan both scored as Hibs reached the League Cup quarter finals
Daryl Horgan's 91st-minute goal ensured Hibernian edged a five-goal thriller against Ross County to set-up a League Cup quarter final with Aberdeen.
Premiership side Hibs twice trailed their Championship visitors.
Michael Gardyne's deflected effort was cancelled out by Hibs captain David Gray's header, and Stevie Mallan rifled in after Josh Mullin scored a penalty following Efe Ambrose's foul.
And, as extra-time loomed, Horgan scored his first Hibs goal to seal it.
Composed County undone at the death
This was a really good contest and it quickly became apparent that Hibs would not have things all their own way.
They were slow out of the traps, perhaps as a consequence of the half-dozen changes made to the team after Thursday night's Europa League loss in Molde and the disappointment that defeat caused.
And Neil Lennon's side were made to pay as Gardyne deservedly put County in front, taking aim from distance and benefitting from a deflection as the ball fizzed into the net.
The Championship could easily have fallen out of the game after Hibs levelled first time around - Gray rising highest to head home Horgan's cross.
But they dug in and belied their status with some composed passing to carve their hosts open again, this time Declan McManus forcing Efe Ambrose into a foul and Mullin converting the subsequent penalty.
Once more Hibs, though, got themselves level. This time, Stevie Mallan's powerful effort from outside the box - his sixth of the season - beat goalkeeper Scott Fox.
And Lennon's side won it when the County defence gave Horgan too much time to pick his spot from the edge of the box.
Michael Gardyne gave Ross County a first-half lead
'Horgan will be key for Hibs' - analysis
It might be something of a concern to Lennon that it took the shock of going behind to spark his side into life.
But signings Horgan, Mallan and Emerson Hyndman all played key creative roles as Hibs' class told. Horgan, especially, looks like he will be a big player, with his ability to shoot and cross with either foot.
Hibs will have far easier games against Premiership opposition this season and, in many respects, County remain a top-flight club in all but name.
Their squad still consists of largely top-flight players and if they can reproduce this level of performance consistently, they will be back there before long.
'I took a calculated risk' - reaction
Hibs manager Neil Lennon: "We made hard work of it. I changed the team and the formation, so I took a bit of a calculated risk, but we changed it back and it paid off."
County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell: "It is a difficult one to take. We can't criticise the players and we feel they proved a point after the disappointment of relegation last season."