Terry Butcher thinks 10-man Hibs deserved to win
Last updated on .From the section Football
Hibs may have needed a late goal to salvage a draw at home to Partick Thistle but manager Terry Butcher thought his side deserved more.
"We created enough chances to win the game," he said after Sam Stanton made it 1-1 on 88 minutes following home defender Michael Nelson's red card.
"Maybe I'm being a bit greedy. It's not a bad point at all with a man sent off.
"But with the chances we had and the saves Paul Gallacher has made, perhaps we were worthy of three points."
The point arrests a run of six consecutive defeats and keeps Hibs in eighth place with two games remaining - a visit to Ross County and a home meeting with Kilmarnock, who currently occupy the Premiership relegation play-off place.
The Ayrshire side visit already-relegated Hearts on Sunday and could leapfrog Hibs, Ross County and Thistle with a win.
"We started like a house on fire then we were burgled at the other end," Butcher told BBC Scotland, having seen Kris Doolan knock in an eighth-minute opener for the Jags.
"But we didn't panic and we kept passing it and testing their back four.
"I know Paul Gallacher and he's a fantastic goalkeeper. I'm going to wring his neck the next time I see him.
"We certainly tested him and that was our aim and ambition.
"To concede an early goal was massively disappointing. I don't think we've been into half-time even or ahead for some time now [since 15 February].
"The reaction from the crowd at half-time was tremendous and that shows the boys have done well.
"We played some lovely football and created good opportunities. There were bizarre saves and ricochets in their box.
"We were maybe missing that bit of quality in and around the box but that's been our problem all season - not scoring enough goals
"Thistle looked dangerous on the break as well, so we were flying by the seat of our pants at times."
Nelson picked up his second yellow card with 10 minutes remaining and Thistle appeared to have weathered Hibs' best spell.
However, Hibs, who had hit the frame of the goal twice and been denied by two tremendous Gallacher saves, finally made the breakthrough when Stanton connected with a James Collins flick-on.
"When Michael Nelson gets sent off you think 'let's gamble and keep the two up front and see where it takes us'," added Butcher.
"They got their third or fourth wind and it feels like a victory for me and it gives us great confidence. The guts and character of the players was immense.
"Now we know a win on Tuesday could keep us safe."
