Hibs unbeaten league run ends with heavy defeat at the Falkirk Stadium

Hibs five-match unbeaten league run came to an end with a comprehensive 4-1 defeat at the Falkirk Stadium this afternoon.

David Gray made five changes to his starting XI after last weekend’s Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Dunfermline Athletic. 

Centre-backs Grant Hanley and Jack Iredale returned to the starting line-up — with Warren O’Hora and Josh Mulligan both missing out through injury. 

Dan Barlaser replaced Club Captain Joe Newell and Miguel Chaiwa took over from veteran attacker Junior Hoilett. 

Up front Martin Boyle replaced Thibault Klidjé in the forward line and took the captain’s armband. 

Klidjé and Nicky Cadden missed out through illness, while Josh Campbell and Chris Cadden alongside O’Hora and Mulligan were ruled out by injury.  

Falkirk made two changes. Defender Filip Lissah picked up an injury in the Scottish Cup win over Hearts last weekend and was replaced by Keelan Adams, who made his first start since December. 

Henry Cartwright also made way for winger Kyrell Wilson. 

The Hibs players wore their yellow away kit for the match and had an early chance following a mistake by Scott Bain but the attack ended with a Barlaser strike that was blocked. 

At the other end a similar mistake from Raphael Sallinger allowed Falkirk a chance but two blocks from Rocky Bushiri cleared the danger. 

A Jordan Obita cross from the left was just too high for Boyle and play raged from end to end. 

A dangerous cross from the right this time fell to Obita but his powerful effort was deflected for a corner. 

But it was the hosts that took the lead in the 15^th minute and it was down to some poor defending from Hibs. 

Calvin Miller sent a low cross into the Hibs penalty area, and Barney Stewart side-footed it into the back of the net from close range. 

The Hibs players claimed that Stewart was offside but after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was given. 

Annoyingly for the Hibs fans, former player Dylan Tait who was freed, dictated much of the play from midfield and Hibs struggled to get back into the game. 

In the 31^st minute Hibs almost grabbed an equaliser when a Jamie McGrath free-kick found the head of Grant Hanley, but Bain produced a tremendous diving save to deny the Scotland international. 

At the other end the Bairns almost doubled their lead, but Adams fired wide from 15-yards after some good work down the right. 

Moments later Sallinger was called into action to deny Calvin Miller after a well-worked free-kick. 

Just before the break, Falkirk made it 2-0 with a wonderful team effort. 

The ball was played out of defence. Miller beat Hanley to the ball on the left wing, raced clear and slid the ball to Stewart, who calmly slotted the ball into the net from six-yards. 

The large travelling support made their feelings known as the players left the field. 

Elie Youan replaced Iredale for the start of the second-half changing the formation as Gray looked to get back into the game.

Within minutes Bushiri was booked for a late challenge on goal scorer Stewart.

Miller then sent in another dangerous cross from the left but on that occasion there was no-one to take advantage.

Miller almost made it three as Falkirk continued to dominate the game although Youan caused the Bairns defence some problems.

After a mistake in the Falkirk defence the ball fell to Kieron Bowie but his angled drive was well saved by Bain.

In the 59th minute Hibs gave their fans some hope when Bushiri headed home an Obita corner from the right.

The goal seemed to spark some life in to the Hibs players and Kanayo Megwa went close with a drive from the edge of the area.

In the 66th minute Falkirk were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the ‘D’ and Sallinger produced a fine save to deny Miller.

Moments later Stewart almost grabbed his hat trick after some poor defending.

In the 71st minute Rudi Molotnikov replaced Megwa just before McGrath sent a free-kick over the bar.

Molotnikov’s first involvement saw him win possession in midfield and drive forward but his effort was saved by Bain.But with eight minutes remaining Falkirk added a third and secured the three points.

Louis Marsh found space down the left and his cross found Stewart who grabbed his hat trick from close range.

Then moments later Marsh got his name on the scoresheet with an angled drive that deflected off Hanley past Sallinger.

Stewart was replaced in the 90th minute and left the field to a deserved standing ovation.

Falkirk: Bain, Adams, Allan, Henderson, McCann, Spencer, Wilson, Yeats, Tait, Miller, Stewart. 

Substitutes: Hogarth, Nesbitt, Ross, Cartwright, Marsh, Williams, Graham, Donaldson, Neilson. 

Hibs: Sallinger, Hanley, Bushiri, Obita, Megwa, Iredale, McGrath, Barlasser, Chaiwa, Bowie, Boyle. 

Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Alasana, Newell, Hoilett, Molotnikov, Joe McGrath.