Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon please with draw at Hibernian
Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon hailed his team for fighting back to earn a point against Hibernian despite seeing their midfield injury problems mount at Easter Road.
Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon hailed his team for fighting back to earn a point against Hibernian despite seeing their midfield injury problems mount at Easter Road.
Lewis Toshney went to hospital after suffering a serious ankle knock while trying to attack a low cross in the second half of the 1-1 Championship draw.
The former Raith defender had been playing in front of the back four amid injuries to Willo Flood and Stewart Murdoch but is thought to have either suffered a broken ankle or ligament damage.
United were trailing to James Keatings' well-worked 35th-minute opener after a smart pass from Andrew Shinnie turned the hosts' possession into a rare clear-cut chance.
But United showed more enterprise after the break and defender William Edjenguele headed an equaliser from a corner midway through the second half.
McKinnon said: "We came here with a lot of injuries and no recognised midfielders. We had to chop and change our system so I was pleased to get a draw.
"We had lots of players in positions they are not accustomed to. It was hard to get a team balance.
"In the first half we wasted a lot of counter-attacks. We could have done a lot better but we were great in the second half. We merited the draw, definitely.''
McKinnon, who brought on a half-fit Charlie Telfer for Toshney, added: "He is away for an X-ray because his ankle is up. I am devastated for him.
"He played central midfield and I thought he was outstanding. He now has a really bad injury.''
Hibs head coach Neil Lennon was frustrated with his side after they went a third game without victory and missed the chance to move above leaders Queen of the South, who were held to a goalless draw at Dumbarton on Saturday.
Lennon said: "It's been the story of the last few games. We were in total control and then, all of a sudden, we get really slack under no pressure.
"We had opportunities to go 2-0 up and that would have killed the game as we were so far in the ascendancy.
"But we let teams back in and it's our own fault. It is also a source of frustration we conceded from a set-play. With the height we have in the team we should be doing a lot better.
"We want to get out of this division and the players have to deal with the expectation better than they are showing at the minute.
"It's not a major problem at the minute as we are playing well but our game management has to be better.''
United remain in fifth place, six points off the top, but they lost no ground on teams above them this weekend.
Only Morton won, a tremendous free-kick from Ross Forbes enough to give them victory over Raith Rovers, while Falkirk were pegged back by St Mirren winger Tom Walsh's spectacular late equaliser and Ayr against Dunfermline finished goalless.