Elie Youan scores a penalty kickSNS

Elie Youan scored from the penalty spot just three minutes after teammate Nicky Cadden's spot-kick was saved

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Hibernian climbed off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership after coming from behind to beat Ross County in an action-packed encounter.

Elie Youan's second-half penalty put the hosts in front, minutes after team-mate Nicky Cadden had missed from the spot.

The sides had gone into half-time level after Dwight Gayle's flicked header cancelled out Eli Campbell's close-range opener.

As the visitors pushed for an equaliser of their own late on, Youan nudged County defender James Brown off the ball before selflessly playing in Josh Campbell. The Hibs midfielder slotted home a first-time finish to make sure of victory.

In a match characterised by mistakes rather than moments of quality, it was Ross County's indiscipline that ultimately cost them and extended their long winless run in the league away from home.

David Gray's side are now eighth in the table, while County drop to ninth, with their last league win on the road back on 2 September 2023, a 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock.

Hibernian grind out much-needed win

Off the back of a bright, but ultimately frustrating display at Celtic Park last weekend, Gray called on his players to start quickly back in front of their own fans.

However, they were sloppy from the outset and went behind inside three minutes to Campbell's headed effort.

As the first half progressed, the home side did push up the park and found themselves in decent attacking positions, but were let down by a lack of quality in the final third.

Gayle brought them level in first-half added time though, a timely boost that likely spared boos from the sparse home crowd.

The lack of composure in front of goal continued after the break, with Youan wildly slicing a shot from 12 yards before Joe Newell fired well over the bar.

The game then burst into life on 69 minutes when County defender George Harmon hauled Gayle to the ground inside the box. A penalty was awarded by referee Lloyd Wilson after a lengthy video assistant referee check, but Cadden was denied by the legs of Jack Hamilton in goal.

Youan made no such mistake shortly after though, blasting his spot-kick in off the post after Campbell's shirt was pulled by Ryan Leak.

The French forward then turned provider for Campbell to wrap up Hibs' third league win of the season and haul themselves up the table.

In a match of low quality, Hibs found a way to win, which is something they have struggled to do this term. It is a quality that will provide hope to Gray before they travel to Pittodrie next weekend.

Second-half mistakes cost County dear

Conversely, County shot themselves in the foot with a string of individual errors.

Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton went walkabout for Hibs' first goal, leaving Gayle an open net to spoil what had been a decent first-half display.

They could have scored before they did when Noah Chilvers' shot was saved well by Jordan Smith, but they were unable to sustain their bright start to the game.

The fouls from Harmon and Leak to concede the two penalties were both entirely unnecessary and reckless, and they gifted Hibs the lead.

The third concession was perhaps the most calamitous of the lot. Brown booted an aimless long ball straight to Campbell, and with him being so deep in his own half, played Youan onside.

The County defender compounded his first error with another, diving in to try to rob Youan of the ball, but missed entirely and gave the Hibs player a clear route to goal. Campbell had kept up with the play and was on hand to sweep home.

Don Cowie cannot account for such costly mistakes and he needs his side to tighten up big time if they are to avoid being sucked into yet another relegation battle.

What they said

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "I'm delighted with the win. That's the most important thing. Would I have liked us to play better? 100%. We've played better this year and not picked up points.

"We started the second half on the front foot, we created numerous chances - still lacked a bit of quality - but managed to get ourselves in front.

"The character's definitely been questioned, and the result was the most important thing today. It definitely looks much better with three points on the board.

"If we don't kick on from here, it can go in the other direction. The next four games will be difficult, but it's teams round about us. Hopefully this is a turning point in the season."

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "First half I thought we were excellent. We had a real opportunity to get a second, but we didn't get it. We concede right on half-time, which changes the game.

"I've spoken to the officials - we were over the five minutes [of added time]. The referee puts the whistle to his mouth, and his words are he's thought about blowing the whistle, but didn't. He felt Hibs had an opportunity to attack. What happens after that is us and we take responsibility. We should never have conceded in that moment.

"We give Hibs two opportunities to score from a penalty, and it's not acceptable. It just didn't quite fall for us, we're pushing to find an equaliser and then we make a poor clearance.

"We were in a great place to get three points today. We can't keep letting the opposition get in front with our decision making. We then have to chase the game and that plays into the opposition's hands."

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