Hammill scores from own half as St Mirren hold Hibernian to draw

Posted Thursday, December 06, 2018 by PA

St Mirren forward Adam Hammill scored from inside his own half as Saints picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Hibernian.

Hammill opened the scoring with his incredible strike after six minutes before Oli Shaw brought the hosts level after the break.

An Efe Ambrose own goal gifted Saints the lead again but Ryan Porteous responded for Neil Lennon’s side with a header.

Hibs head coach Lennon made five changes to his side as the Leith outfit attempted to arrest a six-game winless run.

However, the hosts got off to the worst possible start as Hammill eclipsed his recent efforts against Hearts with a goal from inside his own half in the sixth minute.

The former Liverpool trainee spotted that Adam Bogdan had strayed from his line and lifted a right-footed shot from beside the centre circle over the back-tracking goalkeeper and into the net.

It was another memorable strike from Hammill after scoring from 40 yards in the victory over Hibs’ city neighbours Hearts just over a week ago.

Hibs attempted to respond immediately but Martin Boyle volleyed wide from 18 yards after Saints goalkeeper Danny Rogers could only punch the ball to the edge of his box.

After taking the lead, the visitors were happy to sit back and try to defend their advantage. Hibs enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to create any clear cut openings.

Midfielder Stevie Mallan dragged a shot wide from the inside the area before Lewis Stevenson’s goal-bound effort from the corner of the box was pushed behind by Rogers.

Hibs forward Shaw was then left frustrated in his attempts to find an equaliser after heading a Daryl Horgan cross harmlessly wide before hitting a tame effort straight at Rogers.

Hibs made a bright start to the second period and came within inches of levelling in the 46th minute.

Shaw headed back into the area from a Lewis Stevenson cross but Horgan had to improvise and the Irishman flicked a volley just wide.

The hosts did level in the 56th minute through Shaw. Martin Boyle provided the assist after using his pace to race into the area before squaring a pass for Shaw to tap home from just yards out.

St Mirren players were furious and complained that a foul should have been awarded for a challenge on Kyle Magennis in the build-up, with the youngster not being able to continue.

The visitors restored their lead in the 67th minute. Hammill was involved again in directing a free-kick into the box that Hibs defender Ambrose could only head into his own net.

The drama continued as Hibs levelled five minutes later, Porteous heading in Mallan’s corner.