Ten-man St Johnstone opened their Premiership season with a last-gasp defeat towards Hibs.
Murray Davidson was ordered off for the Perth facet because the hour mark approached at McDiarmid Park.
His late problem on defender Ryan Porteous was deemed sufficient for a straight pink by referee Euan Anderson and his workforce of assistants, who debated the choice at size.
Saints have been compelled to hold on within the closing phases of the sport however conceded within the ninetieth minute when substitute Josh Campbell bundled over the road from a nook.
It was actually a baptism of fireplace for a central defensive three who have been taking part in collectively for the primary time in Ryan McGowan, Alex Mitchell and Andy Considine. Behind them, a brand new goalkeeper in Remi Matthews.
Within the second minute, they have been introduced with their first actual take a look at when Hibs have been awarded a free-kick in a harmful place close to the byline. It was handled nicely.
The capital membership had most undoubtedly made the higher begin and simply shy of 10 minutes Nohan Kenneh wasn’t all that far-off with a strike from vary.
Saints did settle, barely, however there was a giant let-off close to the half hour mark when Ewan Henderson despatched a volley huge with the objective at his mercy after a beautiful left flank cross from Marijan Cabraja.
Then Jair Tavares carved out a gap with a neat chop inside earlier than blazing excessive, excessive over the crossbar.
The hard-working nature of Perth gamers couldn't be questioned however missing was a spark within the ahead division.
In actual fact, skilled goalkeeper David Marshall’s gloves remained clear by the total first half.
Hibs threatened within the 51st minute and once more Cabraja was making an attempt to be the architect with a ball into the field that was flicked goalwards by Elie Youan. His header drifted narrowly over the crossbar of Matthews.
There was, quickly, a fantastic likelihood for Saints following pretty ft from Graham Carey to get the higher of Ryan Porteous huge contained in the field. The cut-back was intelligent too however Theo Bair simply couldn’t get on the top of it.
The mission for 3 factors was made more and more difficult when Davidson was proven a straight pink card within the 57th minute of the match.
The combative midfielder was late on Ryan Porteous and referee Euan Anderson didn’t appear positive what the color of card ought to be. He appeared to seek the advice of his assistant and fourth official by earpiece earlier than doling out the punishment.
Jamie Murphy and Bair have been shortly taken off, changed by the recent legs of Cammy MacPherson and Stevie Could.
Millwall loanee Mitchell was placing in a terrific defensive show and he saved Saints on 73 minutes with an exquisite diving headed clearance to stop Christian Doidge from nodding over the road from shut vary.
Stress continued and, very late within the day, Campbell turned goalwards from a nook earlier than the ball nestled within the web following a deflection.