Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian: Shane Blaney's late equaliser confines Hibs and Motherwell to bottom six
- Published
Myziane Maolida's penalty conversion looked to keep Hibernian's top six hopes alive
Motherwell and Hibernian were both confined to the bottom six following late drama in a Scottish Premiership draw.
Myziane Maolida thought he had bagged the winner for Hibs to keep their top-half finish hopes alive when he converted from the spot after Will Fish went down in the Motherwell box.
But Shane Blaney found an equaliser in stoppage time as he spectacularly lashed into the back of the net to give the hosts hope.
But Dundee's draw at Pittodrie means the Dark Blues are the club guaranteed that final top-six spot.
Hibs had the better of the first half chances, but Elie Youan sent his close-range shot high and wide. That was followed up by a Chris Cadden effort from the edge of the box.
Motherwell started brightly in the second half and there was an early chance for Theo Bair, who slipped before he could get a shot away.
There were shouts for a penalty from the away side when Rocky Bushiri tripped in the box after taking a nick off Blair Spittal, only to be booked for diving. Spittal then followed him into the book for his reaction.
Bair thought he had put the home side in front when he was sent through on goal and slotted past David Marshall into the far corner. However, the flag went up immediately and a VAR check confirmed the Well striker was just offside.
Minutes later, Fish went down in the box under a challenge from Stephen O'Donnell, with Maolida sending goalkeeper Liam Kelly the wrong way.
With Hibs now sitting in the top six waiting on the result from Dundee against Rangers this coming Wednesday, Blaney's late rocket into the top corner sent the visitors tumbling back to seventh spot.
Player of the match - Myziane Maolida (Hibernian)
There was big pressure on the Hibs striker to step up and take that penalty. A shame for Myziane Maolida that it was not enough to bag the win.
Late disappointment piles more pressure on Montgomery - Analysis
It's not been the easiest of times for Hibs boss Nick Montgomery following last weekend's defeat by St Johnstone and this was the chance to throw themselves a lifeline before Dundee's game against Rangers on Wednesday.
But, as we have seen so often from Hibs this season, they could not manage to see the game out. From their eight shots, four of which were on target, they only found the back of the net once and that was from the penalty spot.
The failure to secure top six will no doubt raise further questions of the head coach, who was already in a bit of trouble before kick-off.
Motherwell will no doubt take some positives from the fact that they were able to snatch a point so late on, but again they made life hard for themselves.
The mission now will be to finish as high as possible in those bottom-six places for both sides.
What the managers said
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "If we get top six, we're punching well above our weight, everybody knows that.
"The task becomes very simple now. We want to try and finish top of the bottom six."
Hibernian head coach Nick Montgomery: "Everybody is devastated in the dressing room. They put their heart and soul into the performance.
"We were 20 seconds away from still having a great chance to be in the top six, so we will have to reflect on that now and move forward."
What's next?
Both sides begin their post-split fixtures over the last weekend in April.