Kieron Bowie scores against MotherwellSNS

Kieron Bowie's goal earned what could turn out to be a precious point for Hibernian

At a glance

  • Maswanhise's 10th league goal of season sends Motherwell into lead after goalless first half at sell-out Easter Road

  • Bowie finds equaliser to earn Hibs deserved point in gripping game

  • Well have lost just once in past 14 league games and stay fourth, two points above Hibs side who are unbeaten in four matches

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10/01/26

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Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Kieron Bowie's leveller earned Hibernian a Scottish Premiership point to stay in touch with Motherwell as the European hopefuls played out a thrilling draw in front of a sell-out Easter Road.

Jens Berthel Askou's side, missing hugely influential midfielder Elliot Watt, withstood first-half pressure from the hosts and took the lead when an excellent finish from Tawanda Maswanhise had the visitors heading for a statement win.

But Hibs capitalised on slack Well defending to secure a deserved point when Jordan Obita found Scotland striker Bowie, who adjusted his body well after an awkward first touch to equalise.

Both sides passed up opportunities to win it, with Ibrahim Said somehow planting a near-post header wide for the visitors, but a draw was fair in a gripping encounter.

The result keeps Well fourth, with David Gray's side still two points adrift in fifth.

Graphic

Analysis: Watt's the problem? Hibs wasteful

Before Saturday, the only time Motherwell had lined up in a back three was in their comfortable win over Hibs in November.

Askou deployed that 3-4-3 system again at Easter Road, but on this occasion there was no sustained control from Well in absorbing match, particularly in the first half.

Grant Hanley, who was pointed out as a weak link in Hibs' build-up by Askou two months ago, was a threat from set-pieces, heading wide before Obita lashed over. Elie Youan also put a close-range header straight at the goalkeeper.

The leveller aside, Hibs failed to capitalise on the errors they forced their opponents into, but they made Well suffer with intense, direct play, repeatedly turning Askou's defence.

Without Watt, one of the Premiership's standout players this season, the away side lacked their usual composure but were resolute for the most part and still created numerous chances.

Tom Sparrow and Maswanhise forced Raphael Sallinger into two fine first-half stops before the Hibs man denied Emmanuel Longelo at his near post in the dying seconds.

After a game that could have swung either way, Gray and Askou will settle for a point as the potential to lead stellar seasons continues to bubble away.

What they said

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "Because you lose the first goal in the game, you can't be disappointed with a point, especially against a good side.

"Our first half an hour was very good. We were more like ourselves. Really good, aggressive patterns of play.

"Frustrating thing from my point of view is the majority of chances we give up are through transitions. A draw is probably a fair result."

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "We didn't outperform Hibs today, it was in many ways an even game. The amount of chances were quite even.

"At 1-1 we had a really big moment to decide the game, which I didn't feel they had. It was two teams who invested a lot in the game."

What's next for these teams?

Both sides are on Scottish Cup duty next Saturday, 17 January, Hibs going to Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic live on the BBC (12:30 GMT), before Motherwell host Stuart Kettlewell's Ross County (15:00 GMT).

Player of the match

T. Maswanhise
7.05
1 R. Sallinger
6.54
22 D. Barlaser
6.32
5 W. O'Hora
6.21
9 K. Bowie
6.20
21 J. Obita
6.02
15 J. Iredale
5.97
4 G. Hanley
5.86
20 J. Mulligan
5.81
27 K. Megwa
5.41
23 J. Hoilett
5.39
17 J. McGrath
5.36
12 C. Cadden
5.22
7 É. Youan
5.13
6 D. Levitt
5.00
18 T. Klidje
4.84
11 J. Newell
4.62
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