Hibs show fight spirit but can’t claw back three goal deficit

Thornton Hibs.......................2

Despite a spirited comeback, Thornton were unable to take anything from this game played at the very impressive Peffermill complex.

The home side came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when Wayne Sproule’s in-swinging corner-kick was cleared off the line by Elliot Ford.

Just two minutes later Martin Maughan showed why he is one of the league’s leading scorers as he burst forward and finished in clinical style.

Another smart finish from Maughan had Leith two up by the 25th minute.

The Hibs found themselves three down in the 51st minutes courtesy of Brodie Mackenzie’s fantastic strike that gave Ryan Linton absolutely no chance and as the ball flew into the net it looked like game, set and match for Steven Chalmers’ side.

Just a few seconds later, though, Leith were reduced to 10 men after Michael Shaw received a red card for celebrating immediately in front of the Hibs’ technical area.

There’s no doubt that this setback had a major influence on the way the rest of the game panned out because, from then on, it was almost all Thornton.

Garry Thomson converted Jamie McNeish’s cross in the 57th minute to throw the visitors a lifeline.

The same man got on the end of Ben Rolland’s corner-kick with seven minutes remaining but the men from Memorial Park just couldn’t find another route to goal.

GI Joinery Hibs’ man of the match: Dean McMillan.

Thornton Hibs: Linton, Ford, McMillan, S.Drummond, Shanks, Adam, McNeish, Ormiston, Garry Thomson jnr, Garry Thomson, Mackie.

Subs: McNab, Coleman, Wilson, B.Rolland, L.Rolland, Trialist GK.