Boyle saves the day on Hibs return

Martin Boyle enjoyed a fairytale return from injury to spare Hibernian’s blushes in a breathless 2-2 draw against Livingston.

The Lions raced into a twogoal lead courtesy of a double salvo on the cusp of half-time, with Steven Lawless and Craig Sibbald finding the net.

Scott Allan halved arrears from the penalty spot and Boyle, climbing from the bench following four months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, restored parity in stoppage time to secure a fifth draw in a row for Hibs.

Hibernian have still not won a league match since a 1-0 triumph over St Mirren on the opening day of the campaign and left the field to widespread jeers.

Livingston grabbed the lead seven minutes before half-time when Lawless was afforded too much space on the edge of the box and the Lions took just three minutes to double their advantage, with Sibbald curling home a sumptuous effort.

However, Hibs responded after the interval. Allan was fouled inside the box by Marvin Bartley and the playmaker slotted home the penalty

And Livi paid for that profligacy in the most dramatic fashion when Boyle returned from a four-month injury lay-off to burst through on goal.

Hibernian: Maxwell, James, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson, Mallan, Hallberg (Boyle 80), Horgan, Allan, Middleton (Kamberi 46), Doidge. Subs Not Used: Naismith, Marciano, Vela, Newell, Jackson. Booked: Doidge. Goals: Allan 62 pen, Boyle 90.

Livingston: Sarkic, Odofin, Lithgow, Guthrie, Mcmillan, Bartley, Robert Crawford, Lawless (Jacobs 76), Pitman, Sibbald (Lamie 58), Robinson (Tiffoney 66). Subs Not Used: Stobbs, Stewart, Lawson. Booked: Robinson. Goals: Lawless 38, Sibbald 41.

Att: 14,662 Ref: Gavin Duncan.

Martin Boyle.