DUMBARTON 0 HIBERNIAN 1 Cummings (32)
A FIRST-HALF Jason Cummings penalty was the difference as Championship leaders Hibernian coasted to a straightforward victory against Dumbarton.
Hibs manager Neil Lennon admitted his side had to work hard to secure the win, despite enjoying the majority of possession in both halves.
“We did have to dig it out but we could have been three up at half time and we had the game comfortably won. So I’m pleased with the mentality and the clean sheet,” he said.
Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken expressed satisfaction at the workrate of his parttimers against top quality opposition.
“We competed well, and our season will be defined by games against the teams around us rather than this,” was his verdict.
Hibernian created several chances during a busy first-half but failed to convert them until Gregor Buchanan went up against Grant Holt in the middle of the penalty area on 31 minutes.
Referee Greg Aitken felt that the challenge was made without the ball being anywhere near the incident.
He pointed firmly to the spot and up stepped Cummings to side foot the ball past Dumbarton keeper Alan Martin after a slight feint.
Neil Lennon was left raging on the touchline moments later, when Cummings found himself one-on-one with the home goalie just after the restart. But his chip flew over the cross bar.
A second goal at that stage would undoubtedly have wrapped up the game with almost an hour left to play. Dumbarton were reeling from the setback but Hibs simply could not press their advantage.
The talented Holt continued to torment the opposition defence throughout the second half, showing the quality that has enabled him to play at the highest level in the English Premier League.
At the other end of the pitch Dumbarton’s Joe Thomson had a free kick well held by Hibs goalie Ofir Marciano on 48 minutes. He went on to fire high and wide minutes later.
Meanwhile, Andrew Shinnie and Brian Graham had opportunities to extend the lead for Hibs but could not find a finish when it was needed.
In an otherwise well tempered match, Dumbarton assistant manager Stephen Farrell was also sent to the stands by referee Aitken for dissent over a free kick decision.