Hibs came from behind to take a vital three points at Easter Road on Saturday, to remain within touching distance of Celtic in 2nd place in the SPL table. Late substitute, Abdessalam Benjelloun, played Ian Murray in down the left of the St. Mirren penalty area, and the fullback’s cross was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Jack Ross, to give the home side a deserved 92nd minute winner.

Hibs were in a generous mood early on at Easter Road, with Sol Bamba, not long returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, as Santa Claus. David Barron broke down the left, before a combination of his teasing cross, a miscommunication between centre back and goalkeeper, and Bamba’s size-ten boot, saw the ball played into his own net by the lunging Ivorian international on eight minutes.

The visitors might have doubled their advantage minutes later, as Hibs struggled to gain an attacking foothold in the match, much to the distaste of the home supporters. Mehmet and Higdon were posing problems to the Hibs backline, and the two combined on twelve minutes, only for the former to side-foot wide of Graeme Smith’s right-hand post.

A Rankin corner from the left, and the ensuing goalmouth stramash, provided Hibs’ first chance of the day, before Nish headed wide from another Rankin delivery. Hibs were level on thirty-two minutes, though, as a hopeful ball from the dynamic Rankin was knocked into the path of the advancing Liam Miller, who finished well to Paul Gallacher’s left. Hibs could have been ahead at the break, had Nish’s volley found the net instead of the base of the post, and indeed Nish could have scored early in the second half, volleying over after an excellent move from the home side.

The same player might have headed Hibs into the lead on the hour mark, as good work from Stokes again presented the former Kilmarnock forward with a chance, and it seemed that the home side were going to have to settle for a draw. A long free kick found the head of Nish, whose flick-on was lashed at goal by the excellent Liam Miller from fully eighteen yards, only to meet with a tremendous save from Paul Gallacher.

Benjelloun replaced the unusually quiet Stokes on seventy-four minutes, and the home side were dominant in the final stages, with Riordan and Nish each squandering opportunities. St. Mirren almost stole victory in the final minute of added time, with Andy Dorman’s lob ending up just the wrong side of Smith’s post, before Murray’s deflected cross found the net, sending the home fans wild, and handing Hibernian a three-point advantage over fourth placed Dundee United in the race for European football.