Alan Stubbs’ Hibs lost to Queen of the South for the first time in a league fixture in 50 years this afternoon at Palmerston Park.
In a poor game with few chances created by either side, an Ian McShane goal in the first half secured the points for the managerless Doonhamers who remain fourth, five points clear of seventh-place Hibs.
Alan Stubbs made two changes to the starting XI who beat Cowdenbeath last week, with new signings Dominique Malonga and Jake Sinclair replacing Paul Heffernan and Scott Allan.
On-loan Sinclair started brightly and threaded an inch perfect pass through for Matt Kennedy, who did well before his shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Zander Clark.
Andy Dowie then went close for Queens before Reilly unselfishly squared the ball to McShane who capped off a fine run from deep in midfield with a calm finish past Mark Oxley to give the home side the lead.
Hibs had the chance to equalise just before the break, but Congo international Malonga wayward free kick flew well over the bar.
A Paul Hanlon header from a Kennedy’s cross almost levelled the scoring just after half time then substitute Jason Cummings had an effort cleared for a corner as Hibs looked to get back into the game in front of their own supporters.
Queens looked the more likely to score however and local lad Iain Russell headed narrowly over.
With time running out, Oxley was thrown up front at a set piece but the 6ft 3in keeper was unable to trouble the home defence.
Hibs travel to Dingwall on Tuesday to play equally off form Ross County in the League Cup then head to Ibrox a week on Monday.
Queen of the South: Clark, Higgins, Durnan, Dowie, Holt, McShane, Fowler, Carmichael, Russell, Reilly, Lyle. Subs Baird, Kidd, Dzierzawski, Atkinson, Slattery, Hooper, Smith.
Hibs, Oxley, Gray, Stevenson, Hanlon, Forster, Robertson, Stanton, McGeough, Sinclair, Kennedy, Malonga. Subs Fontaine, Craig, Handling, Allan, Booth, Perntreou, Cummings.
Ref Alan Muir
Attendance 3083
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
