County hero: Michael Gardyne came up trumps as First Division Ross County held SPL side Hibernian in the Scottish Cup. Pic: ©SNS Group
Ross County earned a replay against Hibernian with a superb comeback performance at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup quarter finals. The First Division club were twice behind to their SPL counterparts but rallied to win the opportunity of another shot at reaching the semi finals.
John Hughes’ side won’t fancy the prospect of having to travel to Dingwall in midweek for what will be a tricky tie for them to overcome, if they are to have any chance of ending the 108-year run without success in the competition.
Hibs got off to a dream start in the match when striker Colin Nish capitalised on some chaotic goalkeeping from Michael McGovern. The former Celtic goalie came rushing off his line to close down a corner kick but was made to pay.
County were furious as they claimed that McGovern had been impeded by Nish in the build up but the striker eventually got the final touch after a scramble had climaxed with a bouncing Chris Hogg shot.
Derek Adams’ side rallied though and were back level nine minutes alter with Michael Gardyne’s shot from Martin Scott’s through ball rebounded off Hibs keeper Graham Stack off the chest of defender Ian Murray and into his own goal.
Derek Riordan immediately put the hosts back in front with a fine goal just three minutes later, with the former Celtic forward collecting John Rankin's low ball into his feet before placing his shot past McGovern from 16 yards out.
With 1,600 travelling fans trying to suck the ball into the net from behind the goal in the second half, County pushed and pushed for the equaliser that would at least earn them the right to take their hosts back to Victoria Park.
County full-back Gary Miller had to clear from the toes of Nish as the striker attempted to gallop onto Anthony Stokes' inside pass in the 52nd minute. But it was the visitors who were the busier in attack and two minutes later Stack had to dive full length to his left to divert Vigurs' drive from an acute angle.
In the 57th minute, Hanlon blocked Brittain's shot and home manager Hughes responded by throwing on Danny Galbraith and Abdessalam Benjelloun for Rankin and Stokes in search of some respite.
But County continued to push and Scott Boyd went agonisingly close with a header from Scott Morrison’s free-kick as the clock continued to run against them.
They got the goal their efforts deserved though as Paul Lawson’s brilliant high pass caught the Hibs defence flat-footed. Gardyne again got in behind and made no mistake, slamming the ball past Stack.
County then passed up no fewer than five chances to claim a momentous victory. Vigurs missed the first two, seeing a header diverted over by Stack and then scooped another shot wide.
Murray then had to be alert to clear Scott's shot off the line before Stack produced two brave blocks from follow-up efforts from Gary Miller and Gardyne.
