The Hibs – wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to their former player, Mick Lochrie, who sadly passed away earlier in the week - took on the role of party-poopers with this victory over the Champions-elect which meant that The Spiders’ champagne was kept on ice for at least another week. More importantly for Thornton though was that this kept alive their hopes of joining Downfield in next season’s Premier League.
 
Downfield began the game on the front foot and passed up numerous chances before, against the run of play, Ross Morgan put the Hibs ahead in the 12th minute with an acrobatic scissors-kick.

More chances were squandered by the home side and they were made to pay for this as Andrew Adam increased the Hibs’ lead in the 32nd minute with a fierce drive from outside the area.

The home side continued to enjoy the bulk of possession but the Hibs looked dangerous on the break and came desperately close to making it three when Chris Ireland went round Mark Stewart but his shot from an extremely acute angle was cleared off the line by Robert Smith.

In the 78th minute, James Russell eventually pulled one back but the Hibs’ defence, superbly marshalled by Ian Shanks, stood firm and late on a brave save from Mark Rowbotham at the feet of Gary Middleton ensured that the three points would be heading over the Tay Bridge and back to Fife.
 
Strathore Plant Hire Hibs’ Man of the Match – Ian Shanks
 
Downfield: Stewart, Thomson, Smith, Ballantine, Thomson, Archibald, Russell, Macleod, Lunan, Middleton, Connell. Subs: Anderson, Evans, Reynolds, Kelly.
 
Referee: Mr S. Annandale