After a hectic few days of activity off the park, Hibs first pre-season fixture ended in a 3-2 defeat to Arbroath on Wednesday night.

A large travelling support were delighted to welcome back Scott Allan and get a first look at new signings Adam Jackson and Christian Doidge. Martin Boyle also featured after his lengthy injury absence.

Hibs were awarded a penalty midway through the first half when Doidge got the better of Thomas O’Brien but the former Forest Green Rovers striker’s spot kick was saved.

Arbroath opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Steven Doris fired a low strike past Patrick Martin in goal.

Paul Heckingbottom made nine changes at the break then three minutes after the restart Arbroath doubled their lead, when an awkward bounce of the ball deceived Martin and Doris was on hand to score from close range.

Allan pulled one back just before the hour mark with a superb strike from the edge of the area to the delight of the Hibs’ fans.

Hibs pressed for an equaliser but it was the hosts who regained their two-goal advantage when Greig Spence slotted in a third from a tight angle.

Trialist  Ryan Moon nodded in a Stevie Mallan corner from close range in the dying minutes to make the final score 3-2 to the Red Lichties.

Hibs (first half): Martin, Gray, Jackson, Hanlon, Mackie, Stirling, Campbell, Murray, Boyle, Doidge, Horgan.

Hibs (second half): Martin, Whittaker, McGregor, Hanlon (Sadiki 65), James, Newell, Allan, Mallan, Moon (trialist), Kamberi, Shaw.

Referee: Mike Roncone.

Attendance: 1036.

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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.