Hibernian 0-0 Ross County- Match Report




Bore draw for Hibs

Hibernian remained winless against Ross County after playing out an underwhelming Scottish Premiership stalemate against the men from Dingwall at Easter Road.


The Hibees have now played County six times, spanning four years, and have yet to register a victory.


They saw their best chance come and go in the first half, when James Collins headed against the post, but Derek Adams' County will consider themselves unlucky not to have claimed three points as they also struck the woodwork through Mihael Kovacevic, while Rocco Quinn and Graham Carey passed up golden opportunities for the visitors.


The hosts left the field to a cacophony of jeers after yet another winless outing at Easter Road.


Both sides named the same starting XIs as in their previous matches, with Hibs seeking consistency and Ross County aiming for redemption.


That meant Paul Heffernan, the Hibees' signing from Kilmarnock, had to be content with a place on the bench as the Easter Road side went with the side which posted a 2-1 win against Killie last Saturday.


Fellow new arrival from French side Istres, Abdellah Zoubir, was absent altogether.


Ross County were smarting from a shock Scottish Communities Cup exit at the hands of Stranraer in midweek, but Adams gave the same line-up the chance to make amends in the capital.


And it was the men from Dingwall who made the more auspicious start, with Kevin Luckassen forcing a fine low save from Ben Williams after 11 minutes.


Seconds later Pat Fenlon's charges had the woodwork to thank for the scores remaining level, with Kovacevic's speculative raking strike from distance striking the base of the post.


Much to the frustration of the home fans, County were exerting their dominance in the early stages and should have claimed the lead with 20 minutes on the clock.


Only the profligacy of Quinn ensured parity remained, as the midfielder somehow bundled his shot wide from six yards after some enterprising set-up play from Luckassen.


Hibs were enjoying a respectable amount of possession but struggling to carve out any real chances, and it was once again Williams called into action on the half-hour mark to save a spectacular volley from Graham Carey.


Liam Craig provided some timely goal threat for Hibs in response, but his goal-bound drive from 18 yards was superbly blocked by the head of Brian McLean.


Moments before Iain Brines blew for half-time, Fenlon's side had their own tale of woodwork woe as Collins - still seeking his first goal since his six-figure move to Leith - headed against the post from a searching Ryan McGivern delivery.


Collins passed up another chance to break the deadlock in the second period, volleying over the bar from point-blank range after some excellent work from Danny Handling on the right.


And they were almost made to pay for that wastefulness as Carey shot inches wide after dancing past a series of challenges in the Hibs box.


Heffernan was given his Hibernian debut as a late substitute but could do nothing to inspire a win.


Source: PA

Source: PA