Hibs came from behind to grab a share of the points against Dumbarton at Easter Road this afternoon.
Head Coach Neil Lennon made one change to the starting XI that beat Dundee United last Friday with James Keatings replacing the suspended Jason Cummings.
Dylan McGeouch returned to the bench following a period out with injury.
Dumbarton fielded three ex-Hearts players, Darren Barr, David Smith and Christian Nade.
Hibs dominated the early possession and had the ball in the net in the 14th minute when Martin Boyle fired home from a Grant Holt knock down but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside, and it was the visitors who opened the scoring in controversial circumstances.
Andy Stirling chased a long ball and was fouled by Marvin Batley on the edge of the penalty area. Referee Gavin Duncan pointed to the spot to the fury of the Hibs’ fans. Nade sent Ofir Marciano the wrong way from the resultant penalty and the ‘Sons went in at half time with a narrow lead.
Hibs started the second half with a greater sense of urgency and almost equalised immediately when Lewis Stevenson’s cross was nodded down by Grant Holt into the path of James Keatings who fired a powerful half volley goalwards forcing a superb save from Alan Martin.
The equaliser came in the 58th minute when Stevenson found John McGinn on the left wing and the Scotland star sent a low cross into the danger area which Daniel Harvie diverted into his own net.
The Hibs fans sensed victory however Dumbarton took the lead once again moments later when Nade knocked down a long ball from Martin into the path of Robert Thomson who fired a low strike into the corner of the net.
Seven minutes later Hibs were awarded a penalty when Holt was bundled to the ground but Martin saved Keatings spot kick.
Keatings almost made amends with a diagonal strike which grazed the post then there was more controversy for the referee to deal with when Nade ended up in the Hibs dugout and appeared to slap Jordon Forster in the face. After consulting the linesman, referee Duncan booked both players sparking fury amongst the home fans.
Nade was immediately substituted and Lennon replaced Andrew Shinnie with Brian Graham as Hibs went route one.
The move paid off with eight minutes remaining. Graham chased a long ball from Keatings and Martin raced to the edge of his area but could only palm the ball into the ground. It bounced up and Boyle headed it toward goal then caught up with it on the line to make sure.
In the 88th minute McGinn set up Graham but his effort was well saved by Martin then Holt set up Boyle but his first touch took him away from goal and the keeper easily saved his shot.
Hibs continued to fire balls into the penalty box but Dumbarton hung on for the point.
After the game Lennon said: “We only have ourselves to blame for dropping points today. In the first half we were pedestrian, clumsy and sloppy but I was pleased with our second half performance. I am sick of dropping points at home.”
Hibs: Marciano, Gray, Bartley, McGinn, Holt, Stevenson, Boyle, Keatings, Shinnie, McGregor, Ambrose. Subs: Laidlaw, McGeouch, Forster, Graham, Crane, Martin, Murray
Dumbarton: Martin, McCrorie, Buchanan, Carswell, Gallagher, Thomson, Harvie, Barr, Smith, Stirling, Nade. Subs: Ewings, Lang, Fleming, Prior, Vaughan
Referee Gavin Duncan
Attendance 14,093
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.
