Slack defensive play cost the Hibs dear and Kirkcaldy were quick to pounce on these errors to take all three points.

The visitors took a 3rd minute lead when Chris Ireland’s cutback from the left found Craig Smith and he calmly curled the ball round the diving Kevin Smith into the back of the net. Within thirty seconds it could’ve been all square but Jason Curran made a good save to deny Coco Mullen.

Smith tipped over a free-kick from Chris Ireland and then Ian Lally had a rasping drive from outside the box that was too straight at the the Hibs’ goalie to cause him any due concern. Fraser Terras earned himself a yellow card for bringing down Ireland in the box and the Kirkcaldy striker took the penalty himself to give Craig Ness’ team a 2-0 lead on the half hour mark.

Gradually, Thornton began to exert a wee bit more pressure and eventually pulled one back in the 64th minute. Jason Curran missed Andrew Adam’s corner-kick and the ball struck the inrushing Adam Drummond and went over the line.

At this stage it looked as if the home side were going to snatch an equaliser however, in the 76th minute, a long clearance from Curran caught them out and Andy Wilson’s cross was converted by Mark Westwater.

Deep into stoppage time, criminal defending afforded Tommy Carr the opportunity to clip the ball over Smith to complete the scoring.

It wasn’t all bad news for Craig Gilbert’s men though – late in the game Graeme Dursley made his first appearance since 27 September 2008 after undergoing two operations on a troublesome hip. It was thought that the big man wouldn’t kick a ball again but he was determined to get himself fit again as he endeavors to beat his former teammate, Neil Sellars, tally of 101 goals in a Hibs’ jersey. Dursley currently sits on 90 and would love to get to at least 102!

Kirkcaldy YMCA: Curran, Carr, Giove, Ness, Quinn, R.Smith, Orrock, Lally, Ireland,  Wilson, C.Smith. Subs: McDonald, Westwater, C.Smith, Masson, Gray, McNeill, Gillespie.

Referee: Mr M.Gill