First-half goals from Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle helped Hibs secure their first top-flight victory on home soil against the Livingston since February 2006 and put them within touching distance of a third place finish.
Head Coach Jack Ross made three changes to the starting XI that beat Stranraer on Sunday. Ofir Marciano replaced Matt Macey in goals, Alex Gogic took over from Kyle Magennis in midfield and the injured Josh Doig made way for Lewis Stevenson who equalled Willie Ormond’s 506 appearances for the club. Now only Gordon Smith, Arthur Duncan Pat Stanton have played more games for the club.
Photos Ian Jacobs
David Martindale’s side went into the match having won just once in their last eight league games, conceding 18 goals in the process. He made three changes to the side that lost on penalties to Aberdeen on Saturday with Alan Lithgow, former Hibs defender Efe Ambrose and Josh Mullin replacing Jack Fitzwater, Alan Forest and former Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley.
Hibs started brightly and opened the scoring with their first chance on eight minutes. Paul McGinn gained possession just outside the area and slid a perfect pass to Boyle who looked up and supplied an excellent cross to Nisbet and the striker made no mistake from six-yards.
Moments later a Stevenson cross was cleared to Jackson Irvine on the edge of the area bit the Socceroo rushed his shot which flew over the bar.
Ryan Porteous then flicked a superb pass to Christian Doidge but Ambrose acrobatically cleared the danger.
In the 23rd minute Joe Newell won possession in his own half, beat his marker and broke clear but Jason Holt cynically brought him down and was shown a yellow card.
Two minutes later Boyle picked up the ball on the right, easily beat Holt and cut inside before being tripped up by Ambrose and the referee Craig Napier immediately pointed to the spot. Boyle dispatched the resultant penalty sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0.
Hibs could have had a second penalty when Jon Guthrie clearly handled a Stevenson cross but the referee failed to see the infringement.
Irvine was booked for a challenge on Craig Sibbald then a long Stevenson ball found Nisbet who beat a defender and shot from an acute angle but the keeper did well to save at the near post.
Whatever David Martindale said to his players at the break worked as they came out on the front foot and dominated possession for the remainder of the game.
Within seconds of the restart Nicky Devlin was booked for a foul on Doidge then Alan Forrest was shown a yellow for diving inside the area.
Marciano did well to save a long-range effort from Craig Sibbald then moments later substitute Matej Poplatnik went close at the back post.
Hibs seemed content to hit on the break and Boyle almost found Doidge with a low cross but the home side were finding it difficult to keep possession.
A mistake in the Hibs’ defence allowed Forrest a free-shot but his effort flew just wide of the post.
Newell was shown a yellow card for a pull back on Holt who was breaking clear.
With 15-minutes remaining Drey Wright replaced Doidge then Alex Gogic was the next name in the referee’s notebook for a late challenge on Devlin.
In the 83rd minute Magennis replaced Newell and his first touch gave away a penalty when he tripped Jay Emmanuel -Thomas who sent Marciano the wrong way from the spot.
The visitors continued to press forward leaving gaps at the back and Nisbet twice went close in the dying minutes as Hibs held on to secure a hugely valuable three-points.
Elsewhere a late goal from Leigh Griffiths denied Aberdeen all three points leaving Hibs now six points clear of the Dons with three games remaining.
Hibs: Marciano, McGinn, Hanlon, Porteous, Boyle, Gogic, Irvine, Stevenson, Newell, Doidge, Nisbet. Subs: Macey, Gray, McGregor, Magennis, Cadden, Wright, Hallberg, Bradley
Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Lithgow, Ambrose, Guthrie, Longridge, Holtâ–Š, Emmanuel-Thomas, Pittman, Sibbald, Mullin. Subs: McCrorie, Bartley, Forrest, Diani, Kabia, Taylor-Sinclair, McMillan, Poplatnik, Fitzwater
Referee Craig Napier
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.
