Hibs blow big chance at ten-man Motherwell as best entertainment comes from fans

On a night when Hibs were looking to leapfrog their hosts Motherwell and close the gap on third-placed, city rivals Hearts in the cinch Premiership, this will feel like an opportunity missed after a 0-0 stalemate at Fir Park.

Granted, this match was played in appalling winy conditions, but Hibs – who finished third last season – were unable to find away past the Steelmen, who held on for a point despite playing the last 20 minutes with ten men due to Liam Donnelly's sending off.

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander will be far more satisfied with the outcome than his Hibs counterpart and former Scotland team-mate Shaun Maloney, even if he, too, was brandished a red card when too vociferously contested Donnelly's dismissal. They remain in fourth place, two points and a place clear of Hibs, but still seven points behind Hearts.

Maloney's reign is still very much in its infancy and while his Hibs players continue to take on the instructions of their new boss, passing the ball about nicely and stretching the play on the flanks, there was not enough cutting edge in the final third. Naturally, they missed the pace and inspiration of Martin Boyle, now firmly ensconced in Saudi Arabia, in what was officially Hibs' first match without the Australian.

Hibs were also without their captain, Paul Hanlon, due to a heel injury, but they were never truly troubled defensively. Norwich loanee Rocky Bushiri filled in well at centre-half and Paul McGinn, back from a two-match ban, was rarely flustered either. Hibs' problems were at the other end of the pitch.

Hibs did create a chance just 20 seconds in when Kevin Nisbet scampered free down the left-hand side, but Jake Carroll slid in to block his on-target shot. It appeared a statement of