HIBERNIAN are developing a mean streak as they go about mounting some sort of challenge to Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship.
A piece of ingenuity from on-loan Liam Henderson four minutes into the second half was enough to give them a 1-0 win at bottom club Livingston.
Even if they should have had the match out of reach inside the first half-hour, there were still pleasing signs for Alan Stubbs that his side is proving more frugal in defence.
After Jason Cummings and Dominique Malonga had both passed up chances, Livingston threatened to steal the lead but Mark Oxley saved well from Scott Pittman and Liam Buchanan’s follow-up was hacked off the line by David Gray.
It was Henderson’s wonderful free-kick which was enough to win it and Hibs never really looked like losing their grip after that.
Falkirk, on the other hand, tossed away two points when they were held 1-1 at Alloa Athletic.
The home side were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Jason Marr brought down Lee Miller as he raced in on goal. John Baird converted the penalty with conviction and that appeared to be enough for victory until Danny Rogers let a last-minute shot from Colin Hamilton slip through his fingers.
Rogers had given no hint of his mishap as he had looked solid up until that point – making a superb save from Michael Duffy in the first half when he tipped his effort on to the underside of the crossbar.
Miller had shown his menace early in the game when he also struck woodwork in what was an entertaining game, albeit with a sting for Falkirk at the finish.
There was also late drama at Palmerston Park where Queen of the South and Morton drew 2-2.
An own goal from Chris Higgins gave Morton an early lead but the home side came back. Gary Oliver tested Derek Gaston from long range but the goalkeeper was up to the task.
It was left to top scorer Derek Lyle to equalise before half-time after Oliver’s shot had been blocked.
Denny Johnstone put Morton back in front in the second half after Stefan McCluskey carved out the chance but Luca Gasparotto headed into his own net with just 10 minutes left.
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