Hibs knocked out of Scottish Cup thanks to last minute own goal

Hibs exited this year’s Scottish Cup thanks to a last minute own goal after a hard fought encounter against Dunfermline at East End Park this afternoon.

David Gray made four changes to the starting XI that drew with Motherwell last weekend. 

Hibs skipper Joe Newell made his first start since 29 December 2024. And he was joined by Rocky Bushiri, Junior Hoilett and Togo international Thibault Klidge. 

The quartet replaced Grant Hanley, Jack Iredale, Dan Barlaser and Elie Youan. 

Martin Boyle and Nicky Cadden returned to the squad after missing out recently due to injury. 

Hibs brought a huge travelling support across the Forth and the Pars fans also turned out in their numbers to make it the largest crowd at East End Park in 13-years. 

All the Dunfermline players had a small number four on the front of their shirts to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of club hero Norrie McCathie. 

The first chance of the game fell to Bushiri whose header from a Jordan Obita corner was held by the keeper Deniz Mehmet. 

In the 13^th minute a Jamie McGrath free-kick from wide almost caught Mehmet out, but he managed to tip the ball over the bar after back peddling. 

At the other end Olly Thomas showed good strength to beat Obita but his cross was poor and easily cut out by the Hibs defence. 

After s spell of Dunfermline pressure McGrath sent in a dangerous cross from the left which caused some confusion in the Pars’ defence but was eventually cleared. 

On the half hour mark Josh Mulligan went down injured following a bad challenge from Robbie Fraser. After treatment Mulligan was unable to carry on and was replaced by Miguel Chaiwa. 

In the 38^th minute Bowie beat the offside trap running from his own half clean through on goal but his effort hit the legs Mehmet and the danger was cleared. 

In the next passage of play Bowie got on the end of an Obita cross, but Mehmet held his header. 

And that was the last of a competitive 45-minutes. 

The hosts started the second-half on the front foot. Newell was caught napping in midfield and the ball fell for Andrew Tod, who hammered a powerful strike was brought out a great save from Raphael Sallinger. 

Tod then had another chance from close range from a low cross but was unable to divert the ball on target and the Hibs defenders cleared the danger. 

Moments later Zak Rudden was inches away from meeting a low cross from Matty Todd inside the six-yard box, injuring Sallinger in the process. 

At the other end a powerful half-volley from Hoilett tested the Pars’ keeper Mehmet. 

Hibs then enjoyed a spell of pressure and the fans claimed for a penalty for handball which referee Steven McLean waved away. 

Chaiwa then set up Klidje but his effort was off target. 

On the hour mark Nicky Cadden and Dan Barlaser replaced Newell and Hoilett. 

For Dunfermline, Rudden was replaced by Callumn Morrison. 

Bowie and Klidje linked up well before the striker hammered a shot into the side-netting. 

At the other end Morrison cut inside and tried his luck, but Sallinger was up to the task. 

Cadden then set up Obita and his cross found Klidge but his header from close range was well saved by Mehmet. 

With 15-minutes remaining Boyle and Youan replaced Klidge and Bowie. 

Some carelessness in midfield allowed Tod a strike from distance but once again Sallinger denied the striker. 

Youan set up McGrath but his effort from the edge of the penalty area was easily saved. 

In added time Sallinger produced a great save to deny Kieran Ngwenya. 

Then from the resultant corner Kieran Ngwenya got up highest and his header thumps off the arm of Chaiwa and dribbled over the line despite the desperate efforts of goalkeeper Sallinger sparking mayhem amongst the home fans.

Dunfermline Athletic: Mehmet, Oakley-Boothe, Chilokoa-Mullen, Abdulai, Ngwenya, Fraser, Tod, Gilmour, Tod, Thomas, Rudden. 

Substitutes: Terrell, Benedictus, Hamilton, Kearney, Caceres, Amade, MacLeod, Cooper, Morrison. 

Hibernian: Sallinger, O’Hora, Bushiri, Obita, Megwa, Mulligan, Newell, McGrath, Hoilett, Bowie, Klidje. 

Substitutes: Smith, Hanley, Youan, Boyle, Chaiwa, Iredale, N Cadden, Barlaser, Molotnikov. 

Attendance 10,350