Classy Commons rocks brave Sons
NOT for the first time, Hibernian toiled to break down Dumbarton — the difference this time was that Kris Commons was on hand to provide the killer finish at the foot of the Rock.
The on-loan Celtic man rounded off his month-long spell at the Leith club with a half-volleyed finish that was enough to nudge the Championship leaders over the line at a venue manager Neil Lennon had described as the trickiest in the division.
With Dundee United dropping points after a draw at home to Queen of the South, it was a good day for Lennon and his players as they moved six points clear.
But there was relief as much as jubilation in the Northern Irishman’s clenched-fisted gesture at the end.
‘That was a big win,’ he said. ‘My thoughts came straight to this game and how difficult it was going to be after our game against Dundee United.
‘Dumbarton had beaten United and Falkirk in recent home games and they were a team on the up. Stevie Aitken won Manager of the Month. We knew we were going to have to get the first goal because if Dumbarton had gone in front, they would just have camped in.’
In truth, the hosts were the more enterprising team and in attacking midfielder Lewis Vaughan they had the best player on the field. Yet, while the on-loan Raith Rovers man was a persistent threat, he was unable to produce a killer touch.
The difference between the team’s resources was writ large in the fact Aitken could list only four substitutes.
By contrast, Lennon had a full bench, packed with attacking options such as John McGinn, James Keatings and Andrew Shinnie.
With Commons’ future uncertain, Hibs may now need one of those players to step into the creative breach.
Although Commons and Martin Boyle showed signs of clicking early on, there was little fluency to Hibs’ play until the goal arrived.
When it did, a loose clearance was responsible for the breakthrough.
Overlapping Chris Humphrey on the right, David Gray sent a cross to the back post, which was partially cleared by Darren Barr. Hovering on the edge of the box, Commons stepped on to the dropping ball to clip a right-foot shot into the far corner of the net.
If Commons’ class was decisive, Dumbarton remained in the hunt thanks to their own tricky technician.
Operating in the gap between midfield and attack, Vaughan was taking up the ball in dangerous positions and bursting forward with intent.
It required a robust Gray tackle to deny Robbie Thomson after Vaughan skipped through a couple of challenges to split the defence and then he went close himself with a drive that Hibs keeper Ross Laidlaw beat away.
This was Vaughan’s first start for Dumbarton and Aitken was thrilled by his contribution, saying: ‘Lewis was very creative and best player on the park — I don’t think anyone would doubt that.
‘He has a great future ahead of him. He has just come back from a bad injury and if we can help him along that will be great.’
Sons striker Thomson had a clear sight of goal either side of half-time but could not get enough purchase on either of his efforts from crosses by Mark Docherty and then Garry Fleming.
Humphrey came close after keeper Alan Martin had parried Lewis Stevenson’s shot, but Hibs could not make their supposedly superior levels of fitness tell in the second period.
Laidlaw earned his corn with saves from Gregor Buchanan and Vaughan, who again had weaved through the Hibs defence to threaten.
The sight of an improvised Fleming flick bouncing off the bar forced Lennon to act. On came Grant Holt for the thoroughly ineffective Jason Cummings, while McGinn was introduced to produce some midfield drive.
The withdrawal of Commons for centre-back Jordon Forster only heightened the sense that Hibs were hanging on, but Boyle did come close with a shot he dragged narrowly wide — although Hibs would not have deserved the cushion.
Dumbarton then brought on former Hearts striker Christian Nade — to a chorus of boos from the visiting fans — and he should have grabbed an equaliser at the death, scuffing fellow substitute Tom Lang’s low cross wide at the back post.
‘The ball probably came a bit too quick for Christian and a wee deflection put him off,’ said Aitken afterwards. ‘But I go away with my head held high.
‘I think if you’re connected with Dumbarton, you have to be proud of that performance.
‘To a man, I thought my team were outstanding against a side that, in my opinion, will win the league.
‘Neil, experienced man that he is, knows how to get over the line and he made a lot of good comments when we came off the park about the way my team played.
‘I have nothing but admiration for him. Yes, we lost the game but we did deserve something. I don’t think anyone would question that.’