St Johnstone 0-1 Hibernian: Visitors net injury-time penalty

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross admits St Johnstone's disallowed goal was "a break that went our way" as his side snatched an injury-time win in Perth.

After home striker Callum Hendry had a first-half header wrongly ruled offside, substitute Stevie Mallan's penalty edged a tight contest.

Hibs, in their best top-flight start in 46 years, are level with Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

"My gut instinct at the time was that he was onside," said Ross.

• Reaction & as it happened

• Who did you vote man of the match?

• What's changed at Hibs under Ross this season?

"I thought at the time, I was disappointed at how soft the goal was from our point of view.

"You see the flag go up and you doubt yourself but I watched it at half-time and it looked onside."

To compound St Johnstone's frustration, Liam Craig was sent off on the final whistle, earning a second yellow card for dissent.

Hendry's header was one of three strikes ruled out in a hectic five-minute first-half spell, with Hibs' two efforts correctly chalked off.

Martin Boyle, having charged down a clearance from goalkeeper Elliot Parish, was yards offside when helping Daryl Horgan's scuffed shot in the net. And Christian Doidge's arm brushed against the ball before he beat Parish at the second attempt.

His keeper Ofir Marciano made a flying save to deny the impressive Danny McNamara as St Johnstone dominated after the break against a Hibs side missing injured top scorer Kevin Nisbet.

But, for the second time in three days, Callum Davidson's team were bereft of a cutting edge, and punished late on as Hibs grabbed a scarcely-deserved victory.

Alex Gogic looped a header against the post and then sent the ball back into the box where Liam Gordon bundled into the back of Ryan Porteous. Mallan, on his first appearance of the season after injury, smashed the spot-kick down the middle.

Man of the match - Alex Gogic

The Hibs midfielder, left, helped keep out St Johnstone at one end and played a key role at the other

What did we learn?

New manager Davidson is due a bit of luck. His St Johnstone side did a lot of things well and were worth a point if not all three. Having now failed to score in three of their last four games, though, it's clear where their problems lie. More incision and inventiveness is required up front.

Hibs are joint top, having again ground out victory when way below their best. It's a useful habit to have. The absence of Nisbet didn't help their attacking ambitions, but their new-found solidity bodes well. It's now three clean sheets on the spin for Ross' side, who have yet to concede from open play this season.

What did they say?

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: "It [Hendry's disallowed goal] certainly looked onside, but you've just got to take it and get on with it.

"In the second half we got tighter, won a lot second balls and put them under pressure. In the last two games we've probably deserved four points. It's hard to take."

Hibs head coach Jack Ross: "First half we were good, second half St Johnstone forced us back. We made as many positive changes as we could to try to get a foothold back in the game.

"The players deserve all the credit they'll get for what they've done over the opening five games."

What's next?

St Johnstone continue their search for Davidson's first home win when St Mirren head to Perth on Saturday, while Hibs host Aberdeen in the weekend's final game on Sunday.