Hibernian head coach David Gray said technology "didn't help" as his side were denied a late penalty against St Mirren in their entertaining draw at Easter Road.

The Easter Road side thought they were about to be awarded a spot kick for handball. The wait went on for an age, before referee Matthew MacDermid was told there was no foul play by the video assistant referee (VAR).

"I've never been one for blaming referees, they've got a really difficult job," Gray told BBC Scotland. "The VAR could help the referee in that situation [at the end of the game].

"I think [Jonah] Ayunga interferes with my player [for the St Mirren goal] so I need someone to explain that to me.

"I need someone to explain the handball to me [at the end of the game]. I don't think it's the referee's fault at all, and I won't labour on that point because if we take our chances it's a different afternoon anyway.

"VAR has been brought in to improve the game, and today I don't think it's helped."

Miguel Freckleton's goal had the visitors ahead just after the hour mark, bundling in a set-piece as the Hibs defence watched on.

Gray's side responded within 10 minutes though, as Rocky Bushiri similarly deflected the ball goalward with his hip at the back post following a Thibault Klidje flick on.

Both sides will be disappointed to go away without all three points, such were the number of chances spurned by both.

Junior Hoilett hit the bar for Hibs early on and Bushiri glanced a header wide from a few yards out, while Jayden Richardson could have put St Mirren ahead late on but his chip didn't have enough power.

For Hibs, the shared points represent a recovery from their painful Conference League qualifying exit midweek. For St Mirren, it's another missed opportunity to get their first win of the season.

As the stats show, it was Hibs who carved out more chances during the 90 minutes and under performed in front of goal, according to the xG (expected goals).

They went for the direct approach, opting to go over the top of the combative St Mirren midfield to use Martin Boyle's pace in behind.

Plenty of times, it worked. The Australian international found space time and again and was often set free by Jordan Smith blootering the ball down the pitch as soon as the ball was in his hands.

But too often they got into good areas and failed to get a decent pass, cross or shot away. They looked far more threatening when Kieron Bowie came on, having been rested from the starting XI after his midweek exertions.

Perhaps the biggest positive for Gray this afternoon was that his side didn't look too hampered from the five changes he made from the team that lost to Legia after extra time on Thursday.

Sure, looking around at that St Mirren starting XI was like being in the land of the giants.

But to think that's all their capable of would underestimate their strengths significantly. They knock it around well, they are tactically astute and they fight for everything.

Basically, they are a nightmare to play against and plenty of teams this season will struggle to turn them over.

They lost key midfielder Killian Phillips to a head knock but didn't look rattled as Alex Gogic stepped into midfield and Richard King slotted into defence, putting in a fine performance.

The Hibernian back-three will have nightmares of being thrown around by Mikael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga all afternoon, while Declan John and Richardson provide good width out wide.

They just need that first win under their belt, but they still seem full of confidence after some good performances - a narrow loss to Celtic, a deserved draw against Rangers and now a point at Easter Road, not to mention a penalty shoot-out win over Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup.

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "I feel, for us to keep improving, the game should be out of sight. The chances we missed first half, big moments in the game. If we take our chances and we're more clinical, it's a very different afternoon.

"St Mirren are a constant threat, they're always in the game. We reacted well, pushed towards the very end. I can't fault the players' effort. Their character was tested again today and there's loads of positives to take from it."

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "It was a terrific game of football, first and foremost. Both teams played some really good stuff.

"I thought we created a few chances. Hibs created stuff as well, they were a big danger from set plays with their delivery and their height at the back."

Hibernian host Dundee United on Saturday 13 September in a 17:45 BST kick-off, while St Mirren travel to Falkirk on the same day but kick off earlier at 15:00.