Frustrated Hibernian boss Jack Ross was left scratching his head following his side’s inability to turn their dominance into goals at St Johnstone as Liam Craig consigned the Leith outfit to back to back defeats.
The former Hibs midfielder’s curling effort was enough for Callum Davidson’s men to inflict another damaging defeat on the Easter Road side, who saw their lead in third slightly eaten into after Aberdeen’s home draw with Hamilton Accies.
Joe Newell passed up a glorious opportunity to fire the visitors level before the break when he shot wide of the far post after a neat build up involving Chris Cadden, Martin Boyle and Jackson Irvine.
Ross introduced Christian Doidge and Jamie Murphy in the second period after throwing in Kevin Nisbet from the start as Hibs laid siege to the Saints penalty area, but were unable to force any more than two efforts on target to trouble Zander Clark.
The profligate display left the Easter Road boss at a loss to explain how his side failed to come away from the Fair City without anything from the game.
“We were the better team. In the second half I thought we were excellent dominating a good side in their own stadium," he said.
"You wanted to get a platform in the game away from home. To be behind after the first half, I don’t think any team deserved to be ahead and we probably missed the best chance with Joe Newell.
"That second half was probably the most St Johnstone have been camped in their own final third in a lot of home games this season."
The visitors were much improved from their last outing against the Perth side, when they were humbled by the eventual winners in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Josh Doig curled over and wide in the second half after almost forcing Jamie McCart into a bizarre own goal before the break and Paul Hanlon headed over from a Boyle cross when he was allowed to roam free in the hosts' box.
Ross acknowledged the first half showing, which saw his side struggle again with a high-pressing team, had been below par, but added they now have to overcome this latest bump in the road to seize their chance of a European spot.
“It’s important we go and win. I’ve been critical and honest when we fall below standards but that didn’t happen there, he said.
“It’s important for us to regroup again and I have to remind the players they are still in the driving seat to finish in third place.
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