Hibernian 1 St Johnstone 2

Hibernian were beaten at home to St Johnstone in the penultimate game before the cinch Premiership split.

Goals from Adama Sidibeh and Tony Gallacher for the Saints, either side of Chris Cadden's equaliser, gave the Perth side victory at Easter Road Stadium.

Hibs came into the game knowing a win would be important in their hopes to finish in the Top Six, but a string of impressive saves from Dimitar Mitov proved crucial for the visitors.

Nick Montgomery made one change to the side that played Rangers a week prior, with Martin Boyle returning to the starting XI, having made his return from concussion off the bench at Ibrox.

That meant that the Australia international joined Adam Le Fondre and Myziane Maolida – March’s cinch Premiership Player of the Month – in attack.

David Marshall lined up in goal behind a back four of Cadden, Will Fish, Rocky Bushiri and Jordan Obita.

Joe Newell once again captained the side, supported by Nectarios Triantis and Emiliano Marcondes in the Hibs midfield.

The sun was shining on Leith but strong winds also blew across Easter Road, making it difficult conditions for passing football.

There was an early penalty shout for the Hibees as Emiliano was clattered by Mitov. The midfielder got his head first to a loose ball after a deflected shot from Myziane, with Mitov committed to the challenge, but the protests of the fans were unanswered despite Emiliano been left on the floor.

Both teams struggled to generate any chances in the opening half an hour, despite the home side dominating possession. Hibs looked to create through Emiliano and Myziane, but failed to find a killer ball as the visitors defended resolutely.

On the break, Saints striker Sidibeh was proving a nuisance, and he provided a chance for teammate Nicky Clark before the interval, but his shot from the edge of the box was high and wide of goal.

Opportunities for Hibs in the first half fell to Newell and Rocky, with Mitov not tested, before the Bulgarian ‘keeper held on to Myziane’s effort from a tight angle. Half-time: 0-0.

Nathan Moriah-Welsh was introduced for the second half, coming on for Fish, with Triantis moving into the backline at centre-back.

Just minutes after the restart, Saints were ahead. Sidibeh beat the offside trap to latch onto Matthew Smith’s long pass forward and slotted the ball past Marshall.

Hibs hit back on 55 minutes, with Cadden claiming his first goal of the season – having impressed since recently returning from a long-term injury.

Half-time sub Moriah-Welsh added some much-needed energy to midfield and it was his break that instigated the move for the Hibees’ equaliser. The 22 year-old carried the ball through the middle of the park, evading a number of challenges, before feeding Myziane. The Comoros forward’s shot was saved but only parried as far as Cadden, who smashed the ball into the net for 1-1.

Cadden could have had a second minutes later, with the ball falling to the right-back on the edge of area on the hour mark, but his half volley looped over the bar.

Hibs were revitalised after drawing level and began to create chances and dominate. Le Fondre almost had a stunning goal, acrobatically back-heeling Obita’s cross on target to force an excellent save from Mitov.

From the resulting corner, Rocky’s headed effort was just wide of the target.

Mitov was then called into action three times by Myziane to keep the scores level going into the final ten minutes. The first chance saw the Hibs man turn a volley towards goal after neat build-up play between Newell, Emiliano and Youan.

Shortly after, the 25 year-old was denied superbly by the Saints stopper at point-blank range, although it appeared he was pulled down by a defender as he snatched at his shot.

Mitov then completed his treble of saves against the in-form forward, stopping a first-time effort – again from close distance – after Cadden whipped in an inviting cross.

Despite Hibs’ dominance, it was the away side who struck again. A corner found Gallacher unmarked on the six yard box and he volleyed in to give Saints all three points.