Hibs fought back from 3-1 down to secure a late victory over Steven Pressley’s Carlisle last night.
A large travelling support crossed the border to watch Paul Heckingbottom’s team continue their pre-season campaign and they were delighted to see Ofir Marciano back in goals.
Heckingbottom however didn’t risk a number of key players such as David Gray, Paul Hanlon, Steven Whittaker and Vykintas Slivka ahead of their first competitive game on Saturday.
Hibs dominated early possession before Jack Bridge opened the scoring against the run of play on the half hour mark.
Seven minutes later Stevie Mallan set up Florian Kamberi (pictured) who scored his third pre-season goal to level the score before the break.
A superb strike from Carlisle substitute Hallam Hope shortly after the restart put the hosts back in front and they made it 3-1 when Darren McGregor deflected Keighran Kerr’s flick into his own net.
Hibs continued to press forward and fans’ favourite Scott Allan made it 3-2 in the 73rd minute after good work from Christian Doidge who won possession in the Carlisle box.
New signing Doidge then opened his Hibs’ account when he headed home the equaliser with four minutes to play.
In time added on Josh Campbell made it 4-3 for the visitors with an angled drive, sparking wild celebrations from the Hibs’ fans.
Hibs now open their Betfred League Cup campaign with a trip to Stirling on Saturday.
Carlisle (first half): Gray, Branthwaite, Webster, Mellish, Iredale, Ricketts, Bridge, Jones, Dixon, McKirdy, Storey. Second half: Gray, Elliott, Duffus, Ricketts (Kerr 59), Mellish (Birch 59), Hope, Scougall, Reeves, Dixon (Charters 59), Bridge (Armstrong 59), Knight-Percival.
Hibs: Marciano, James, McGregor, Jackson, Mackie, Horgan (F Murray 59), Mallan (Stirling 60), Campbell, Newell (Moon 46), Shaw (Allan 59), Kamberi (Doidge 59). Subs not used: Maxwell, Doig, Sadiki.
Ref: Anthony Backhouse.
Att: 2631.
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.
