CHAMPIONSHIP

Lennon hails McGinn as Hibs pull away in title race

HIBERNIAN continue to pull away from closest rivals Dundee United after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Queen of the South.

John McGinn, who caught the eye with an inventive performance, scored the only goal seven minutes into the second half and Hibs absorbed anything Queens could muster in response.

Hibs head coach Neil Lennon said: “I thought we were excellent and the scoreline could have been a bit more in our favour.

“John McGinn was exceptional and deserved his goal. He was the one player even in the first half trying to thread balls through and cut Queens open.”

Dundee United lost ground after being held 1-1 at Dunfermline and they have now gone five games without a win.

Tony Andreu put them in front but Dunfermline equalised through a John Herron header, his first senior goal in only his second start.

“We just have to take it on the chin and move on,” said United manager Ray McKinnon. “Hibs are still catchable and we won’t give up the ghost, but it’s obviously going to be tough.”

Morton moved to within three points of United with a 4-1 win at Ayr United in the evening kick-off. Ross Forbes scored two early goals and Gary Oliver added a third after 31 minutes before Jamie Adams pulled one back before the break. Oliver scored his second midway through the second half to put the win beyond doubt.

Falkirk added to St Mirren’s woes at the foot of the table with a 2-1 win in Paisley. John Baird netted a double before Rory Loy pulled a goal back and Falkirk were well worth their victory. Craig Sibbald also hit the crossbar and Myles Hippolyte had a couple of decent efforts as St Mirren looked vulnerable at the back.

“I thought it should have been more comfortable for us than it actually was in the end because with all the chances we created the game could have been beyond St Mirren,” said manager Peter Houston. “In the second half we were fairly comfortable until they scored.”

What made matters worse for St Mirren was that Dumbarton beat Raith Rovers 3-1 in Kirkcaldy. Ryan Hardie had given the home side the lead but Christian Nade headed an equaliser early in the second half.

Daniel Harvie and Gregor Buchanan also netted to give Dumbarton a deserved win and home manager Gary Locke conceded that Wednesday’s Scottish Cup replay at Tynecastle, which went to extra-time, had taken its toll on his players.

Steve Aitken, the Dumbarton manager, claimed the arrival of Ian Durrant as his assistant brought a positive reaction from his players.