Paul McGinn emerged as the unlikely hero as Hibernian came from behind twice to claim a 2-2 draw against St Johnstone.

McGinn, who had never found the net for Hibs previously , struck twice to cancel out efforts by Ali McCann and former Easter Road ace David Wotherspoon.

St Johnstone would have moved into the top six with a triumph but – despite the frustration of surrendering an advantage on two occasions – remain unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions.

Hibs, meanwhile, will rue missed chances from Kevin Nisbet, Jamie Murphy and Stevie Mallan on their way to a second successive 2-2 draw.

Jack Ross selected the same XI from Sunday’s showdown with Celtic, while St Johnstone made four changes from the side which played out a 1-1 draw with Motherwell on Saturday.

Shaun Rooney, Liam Craig, Michael O’Halloran and Guy Melamed – making his first Premiership appearance – replaced Jason Kerr, Craig Conway, Murray Davidson and Wotherspoon.

Fresh from scoring against the Hoops, Jamie Murphy was again in threatening mood  during the early exchanges in the capital, forcing a smart low save from Saints stopper Zander Clark.

Melamed, seeking his first goal since joining the Perth Saints from Maccabi Netanya, fired wastefully over the bar of his Israeli compatriot, Ofir Marciano, after a Craig cross fell invitingly in his path.

O’Halloran then fizzed a low shot inches past the post after robbing Paul Hanlon as the visitors illustrated their attacking threat.

St Johnstone converted those warning signs into a lead 10 minutes before the break when a Stevie May shot fell kindly for McCann and the newly-minted Northern Ireland international made no mistake from point-blank range.

But it took Hibs less than 60 seconds to restore parity. McGinn cut inside from the right wing, produced a delightful give-and-go with Nisbet and caressed a clinical finish past Clark.

Joe Newell and Mallan passed up decent chances to complete the turnaround after the break and Hibs looked to have paid the ultimate price when Wotherspoon embarked on a mazy dribble from the left before blasting past Marciano.

However, McGinn would have the final word, with the former Dundee and Partick Thistle man creeping in at the back post to meet a Mackie delivery and fire a sweet half-volley past Clark.