Whilst there's no doubt Tayport enjoyed more possession of the ball in the first-half, the Hibs' defence soaked up all the pressure well and then in the minutes leading up to half-time Thornton struck twice to take an interval lead of 2-0 which didn't look on the cards just a wee while previous.

The first goal came in the 39th minute when Andrew Adam's well taken free-kick was made to measure as it struck the underside of the crossbar then bounced over the line.

Three minutes later Shaun Keatings swung in a corner-kick that found Garry Thomson. The Hibs' top-scorer worked an opening before smashing the ball low past Jack Shaw.

Before the referee sounded his whistle to signal the interval there was still time for both teams to come close. First of all Adam Drummond's 25 yard shot brought out a fine flying save from Shaw and then at the other end Andy Warrender did well to keep out Dayle Robertson's header.

Tayport thought they'd pulled one back in the 80th minute when Jamie Mackie shot home from close range after Jamie Gill's cross cum shot had rebounded off the face of the crossbar but the ref judged that Mackie had been offside. Mackie wasn't taking 'No' for an answer though and just two minutes later he cleverly caught Keiran Inglis' cross on his chest before swivelling and volleying home in style from 6 yards.

Tayport came mighty close to snatching an equaliser late on when Gill's fiercely hit low cross flashed right across the face of goal with nobody in a red shirt able to take advantage.

So it was a relief for the home supporters when Barry Dickson blew for full time as these three points allowed the Hibs to increase the gap from fourth to fifth place in the league to nine points.

GI Joinery Hibs' Man of the Match: Ian Shanks

Thornton Hibs: Warrender, S.Drummond, A.Drummond, Millar, Shanks, Adam, Keatings, Hepburn, Ireland, Thomson, Crichton. Subs: B.Anthony, Coleman, Robertson, Shields, McNab.

Tayport: Shaw, O'Brien, Sturrock, Conway, Suttie, Mackie, Payne, Inglis, Dayle Robertson, Rollo, Gill. Subs: Dale Robertson, Liversedge, Gray, Lornie, Macpherson.

Referee: Mr B.Dickson

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 10 Tay 5
Attempts on target - TH 3 Tay 2
Corners - TH 4 Tay 7
Offside - TH 5 Tay 5
Fouls committed - TH 21 Tay 23
Yellow Cards - TH 4 Tay 2
Red Cards - TH 0 Tay 0