Hibs instant analysis as Youan strikes to rescue a late point

Nick Montgomery's side impressed for much of an encouraging first-half, taking the lead via Youan's brilliantly taken strike, only to be pegged back by Well's Theo Bair. Bevis Mugabi headed the visitors into a second-half lead, but Youan struck again in stoppage time to ensure a share of the spoils. 

Liam Bryce was in Leith to provide the instant analysis.

Depth issue evident

Even with 31-year-old Jimmy Jeggo and 35-year-old Lewis Stevenson in reserve, Hibs' bench still had an average age of just 22, reflecting Montgomery's need to dip into the academy with key players absent on international duty, and the current injury list still far longer than he'd like. The return of Harry McKirdy to the matchday squad was a welcome boost, and he was joined by 16-year-olds Dean Cleland and Josh Landers, plus 17-year-olds Reuben McAllister and Rudi Molotnikov. It wasn't unexpected, given it was confirmed last week that Lewis Miller, Martin Boyle and Rocky Bushiri would have already left for the Asian Cup and African Cup of Nations, but it did underline the extent to which Hibs are stretched. It put added pressure on the starting XI to get the job done, and that Molotnikov for Dylan Levitt was the only tactical Hibs change of the afternoon prior to the 86th minute told its own story. Clearly, Montgomery will not have wanted to enter the winter break after another defeat, but his team do need it to regroup and reinforce.

A glimpse of what could be

For 35 minutes, this was as confident and free-flowing as Hibs have been for quite some time. Down the left, Jair and Jordan Obita tormented Motherwell's backline, flashing in multiple dangerous crosses that deserved to have someone knock them home. Christian Doidge had a swivelling effort well-saved by Liam Kelly, as did Levitt from a brilliantly worked corner routine. Yoaun's opener, when it did arrive, was richly deserved. The winger, restored to the starting line-up in Boyle's absence, had produced an inconsistent half, but he tied Motherwell in knots with a purposeful run in off the right before drilling home with his left. Three points felt there for the taking at that stage, but Hibs somehow contrived to find themselves trailing, and no amount of second-half pressure was able to break Motherwell's resistance. A lead gave the visitors something to cling to, but they were unable to keep Hibs at bay, with Youan crashing in his second of the day via a deflection. 

Mixed feelings at full-time

There's no such as an unwelcome stoppage time equaliser, but when the dust settles, Hibs will certainly feel they should've taken more from this game. In some ways, it was reminiscent of the run of draws earlier in Montgomery's tenure when his side dominated for long spells without fully pressing home their advantage. This time, it was they who rescued a point for themselves instead of throwing two away, but the same feeling pervaded in that it could, and probably should, have been more. The elation of Youan's strike gave way to a smattering of boos when the full-time whistle sounded, and ultimately it ended as a day where Hibs lost more ground on Hearts in the race for third place. They enter the shutdown 11 points adrift of their city rivals having played a game more, and it will take a herculean effort in the second half of the campaign to fulfil aspirations of finishing best of the rest.

Defensive lapses costly

Hibs have played far worse than this and won. But while there was greater intent and chance creation in attack, it matters little when cheap goals are conceded at the other end. Motherwell had only ventured into the Hibs box on one previous occasion before Bair snuck in to drill home a surprise equaliser 10 minutes before the interval. The big striker had been pulling wide to try and test Whittaker, and the teenager's momentary lapse in concentration was enough for Mika Biereth to pick out his strike partner for a well-taken finish. 

Nothing quite frustrates a manager like conceding from a set-piece, anyway, but Motherwell's second might just be enough for the Hibs players to earn a rocket from their manager. Hanlon won the first contact from the initial delivery, but from there the ball met the head of Stephen O'Donnell, Biereth and, finally, Mugabi before it hit the net. Hibs have conceded four goals in this winless run, and all of them fall firmly into the 'soft' category.

McKirdy's welcome return

It's been a long road back for the striker, and at one point there were questions who would ever play again after being diagnosed with a heart issue, his late entrance into the fray was warmly received around Easter Road. It was certainly a moment to savour for the Englishman, who has been through the wringer just to get himself back on the pitch, and the hope will be that he can gradually return to prominence. Having another option up front is certainly a welcome one from Montgomery, and there's certainly an intrigue over how much he can glean from McKirdy. The manager described him as a 'livewire', but the one thing he'll surely want to see above all else from the 26-year-old is consistency. McKirdy has shown himself capable of producing exciting moments, they've just been too few and far between. With Jair turning his own Hibs career around under Montgomery - and the Portuguese was excellent here for 45 minutes - the hope is that the manager can exert similar influence on McKirdy.