A controversial goal from Michael Duffy’s gave relegated Alloa Athletic a 1-0 win over Hibs at the Indodrill Stadium this afternoon.
Once again Hibs dominated possession but were unable to break through the Wasps’ defence and the result dents the Easter Road side’s hopes of a second place finish in the Championship.
Head coach Alan Stubbs made three changes to the starting XI that beat Livingston in midweek. Niklas Gunnarsson replaced Darren McGregor in defence whilst Fraser Fyvie returned from injury to replace Kevin Thomson and James Keatings took over from the injured Farid El Alagui.
Both sides had early chances and both Jason Cummings and Keatings had efforts before Liam Henderson set up Anthony Stokes at the back post but his header went just wide.
It was the home side however who took the lead just before half time when a Duffy strike hit the underside of the bar, and was deemed to have crossed the line by the assistant referee on the far side.
Hibs fought back in the second half and Fyvie went close with a deflected effort and a David Gray header from a Henderson cross went past the post.
Both Stokes and substitute Martin Boyle went close as Hibs piled on the pressure but Alloa were able to hit on the break and it took a great save from Mark Oxley prevented Duffy adding a second.
Mitch Megginson also went close with a drilled strike but despite Hibs late domination they were unable to create any worthwhile chances and Alloa held on to secure the three points.
Hibs fans leaving the stadium had another shock when news came through that Falkirk had scored a late winner over St Mirren, leaving them six points clear although Hibs have two games in hand.
The pair meet at Easter Road on Tuesday night in a game that could go a long way to deciding who finishes second.
Alloa Athletic: Gallacher (D. Crawford, 25), McAusland, Hill, Hamilton, Marr, Duffy, Holmes, Caddis, Falnnigan, Megginson, R. Crawford (McManus, 75). Unused substitutes: Ferns, Layne, Finnie, Hynd.
Hibernian: Oxley, Gray, Gunnarsson, Hanlon, Stevenson, Fyvie, Henderson, McGinn, Keatings (Boyle, 62), Stokes, Cummings (Dagnall, 75). Unused substitutes: Virtanen, Bartley, Handling, McGregor, Thomson.
Referee: Bobby Madden
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.
