When the former Hibs’ striker, Kevin Masson, put Lochore four up in the 31st minute, things looked bleak for ten man Thornton. However, late in the first half, Keiran McGuire’s goal had the effect of throwing Craig Gilbert’s side a lifeline and, in the end, the league leaders were mighty relieved to hear the final whistle.

Lochore went ahead in the 7th minute when Lee Reid netted from the penalty spot after the ref adjudged that Mark Rowbotham had brought down Brett McGuire.  

In the 16th minute, Thornton were reduced to ten men when Bradley Grieve was ordered-off for his ‘last man’ challenge on David Byrne. Lee Reid took the resultant free-kick that Mark Rowbotham saved but Brett McGuire was first to react as he blasted the loose ball into the net.

Five minutes later it was 3-0 and this time it was Robert Fyfe who found the net after Rowbotham had saved Scott Penman’s effort. When Kevin Masson fired in the fourth, it really looked as if a cricket score was on the cards.

The Hibs showed their mettle though and Keiran McGuire converted Chris Ireland’s cross in first-half stoppage time to give his side a wee lift for the second forty-five.

Just before the hour mark, the teams were even in terms of players on the park when Rory Harrower was red-carded for bringing down Coco Mullen in the box. Adam Drummond made his usual immaculate job from the spot but only just as Gary Inglis got a big hand to the ball but succeeded in only pushing the ball off the post and into the net. In the 66th minute, Lee White’s terrific free-kick reduced the deficit to just one and by this time Lochore were rocking.

Thornton then threw everything at Kevin Fotheringham’s side in an attempt to salvage something from the game and in doing so, left themselves a wee bit vulnerable at the back. Eventually, with just one minute remaining, Scott Renton, sealed the victory and again it came after Rowbotham had saved, this time from John Ferguson.
 
Lochore Welfare: Inglis, Laing, Penman, Fyfe, Vaughn, Fotheringham, Byrne, Renton, McGuire, Reid, Masson. Subs: Harrower, Drummond, Campbell, Ferguson, Goodwin.

Referee: Mr C. McNab.