Hibs overcome early scare to open gap at top

HIBERNIAN moved clear at the top of the Championship after a Jekyll and Hyde performance at East End Park finally brought three points. It took a half-time pep talk to turn the match around and a 1-0 deficit to what, in the end, was a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Dunfermline led at the break through a disputed Kallum Higginbotham penalty and had their chances to add to their lead, most glaringly through Farid El Alagui shortly after the goal.

James Keatings equalised with the aid of a deflection off Lee Ashcroft before Grant Holt put the visitors in front from the penalty spot.

Andrew Shinnie and Lewis Stevenson both came close as Hibs sought to kill off the game.

It was Brian Graham who sealed the win and Dunfermline finished with 10 men after a late red card for Michael Moffat, which the home side may challenge.

Jason Cummings was left as an unused substitute but Hibs had enough in their armoury to take the three points.

It was a good time for them to record their first win in six games with both Queen of the South and Falkirk losing.

Hibs assistant manager Garry Parker said afterwards: “We had a go at them at half-time, I thought we were unlucky with the penalty,

but you’ve just got to get on with it. After half-time we came out and I think we deserved it.

“We controlled the game in the second half.

“It has been frustrating, we’ve been playing well and not taking our chances and the deflected goal is probably what we needed and it has kicked us on.”

Dundee United are starting to mount their expected challenge but had to withstand a late fightback to defeat Dumbarton 2-1 at Tannadice.

Scott Fraser missed an early chance for United when his shot struck the inside of the post when it seemed easier to score.

Dumbarton were dangerous on the break and Garry Fleming was denied the opener at the other end as Cammy Bell pulled off an inspired save.

Dundee United made the breakthrough seven minutes into the second half when Mark Docherty headed into his own net as he attempted to clear a corner kick.

William Edjenguele scored the second goal midway through the second half, but a late goal from Robert Thomson meant it was an uncomfortable final few minutes for the home fans. An injury-hit Queen of the

South lost the top spot when they fell 1-0 to Ayr United at Somerset Park.

Paul Cairney scored with a longrange strike early in the second half and it was enough to secure a valuable win for the home side.

Queens missed injured striker Derek Lyle and Stephen Dobbie was left trying to finish their most promising moves but, for once, he drew a blank.

Even goalkeeper Lee Robinson joined the attack in the closing stages at a corner and was just off target with a decent strike.

Dobbie posed the first threat for the Doonhamers when he robbed a defender but tugged his shot wide. Keeper Greg Fleming then reacted well to keep out a Mark Millar shot as the Dumfries side started on top. Dobbie had another opportunity for Queens but directed his shot straight at Fleming.

Ayr’s Ross Docherty’s shot after the restart flew just over, and Queens did not heed the warning as Cairney scored the winner with his strike from distance.