David Gray urges Hibernian to see games out as Livingston claim late point

Hibernian manager David Gray insists his team need to show more determination to see games out after conceding a late penalty in a 2-2 draw with Livingston.

The Leith side led twice through Jamie McGrath and Martin Boyle efforts either side of an equaliser from Jeremy Bokila.

But the Lions were handed a lifeline in added time when a Daniel Finlayson header from a corner struck the arm of Nicky Cadden.

And experienced playmaker Graham Carey earned the Premiership basement side a point with a well taken spot kick.

Gray said: “Whilst it’s one goal in it, you’re always running the risk of giving away a free kick, a corner, or whatever that looks like.

“And we’ve done that and then, in the big moments, we didn’t do enough to see the game out.

“We give away a corner where I think we can relieve the pressure early – whether that be dealing with a first contact or a goalkeeper coming for the ball, whatever that looks like.

“It’s just being a bit more on the front foot to make sure we get over the line when we’ve not been at our best.

“And then when the corner comes in, you need to make sure you get first contact on the ball.

“It’s the last minute of the game but you must get first contact on the ball.

“And it’s a desire to make sure we stop that happening.”

Hibs got off to the perfect start after just 17 seconds when McGrath slammed home a half volley from just outside the box.

But Livingston responded well and levelled in the 37th minute when Bokila finished off a flowing move with a neat first-time finish from inside the area.

Boyle restored Hibs’ lead with a drive from six yards before the late drama unfolded.

Livingston manager David Martindale singled out Carey with the midfielder having been forced to spend much of this season on the bench.

He said: “Graham hasn’t played much this season so there was pressure on him taking the penalty but he put it away really well.

“We knew it was a pen and I told them if it goes in, make sure we stay behind the game because I knew they’d go and try to win it.

“You have to manage games at this level. I was just glad we were able to manage it the way we did.”