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Paul Heckingbottom has claimed panic from the stands played a part in costing Hibs during their 2-2 draw with St Johnstone at Easter Road.

Home supporters watched their side concede an 11th goal in three games when Jason Kerr netted to secure a last-gasp point in Leith.

And fans were less than impressed with the manager's decision to substitute Scott Allan in the 61st minute as Daryl Horgan entered the fray as boos rained down on the dugout.

It was a disappointing day for the mercurial Hibs playmaker who was shunted out to the right rather than operating in his usual No.10 position.

And the natives became even more restless as Kerr netted to deny Heckingbottom 's side all three points.

Goals from Adam Jackson and Flo Kamberi had Hibs on their way before their late capitulation but the former Barnsley boss reckons the supporters played a role in his side dropping two points.

The 42-year-old said: "We were trying to get the boys to relax but the whole stadium was anxious and that spread to the players.

(Image: SNS Group)

"When they scored the first goal pressure releases a bit we make some passes and get the goal straight away.

"There was a real anxiousness that spread from the stand to the players. But when there is one goal in it you have to defend.

"From the last kick of the game we concede and boys are in there as if we have been beaten.

"You have to put it in perspective cannot have the players feeling how they do at the minute.

"If they are not careful they will get carried away with that when we are a point closer to where we want to be.

And Heckinbgbottom delivered a quip when asked why he removed his most creative player with 30 minutes remaining.

He added: "I didn't know there was a law against taking him off.

“No player's going to play 90 minutes every game.

“I've worked with Scott all week and know what he's been like. He's not been at his best in training. He's played 120 minutes last week and was carrying a knock.

“I didn't bring him off because he was injured but he was suffering. That'll happen.

We all know what a good player Scott is and we all know he's a fans' favourite but I'll probably take him off again before the end of the season. The other players are exactly the same.

"It'll happen again but the reaction doesn't need to be there. We brought two international footballers on as subs. An Irish and Lithuanian international."