With Jimmy Shields making his 200th appearance, the Hibs took to the field for their first home game since 24th October. And it's fair to say that they looked a bit ring-rusty in the opening stages as they appeared to struggle to adjust to playing on grass again after numerous friendlies and training sessions on 3G.
The visitors took the lead in the 14th minute when Calum Watson won possession near the half-way line then ran unchallenged before hitting a screamer into the top corner.
They held this lead until the 53rd minute when Chris Ireland set up Daniel McNab who lashed the ball into the net from close range.
In the 59th minute Jack Wilson headed home McNab's corner-kick to put Thornton ahead but this lead lasted just five minutes before Grant Mowatt equalised from the spot after Scott Gilfillan was rather harshly judged to have brought down Stephen Greig.
There was no further scoring although McNab came desperately close to claiming the winner after terrific skills took him past three defenders but he clipped the ball over not only the outrushing Ross McLeod but also the crossbar.
Window Stores Hibs' Man of the Match: Daniel McNab
Montrose Roselea: McLeod, Rae, Taylor, Reoch, Collier, Milne, Mitchell, Anderson, C.Watson, Mowatt, Greig. Subs: Duff, Campbell, Thomson, Dalgarno, Sturrock.
Referee: Mr S. Annandale
Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 12 MR 7
Attempts on target - TH 7 MR 5
Corners - TH 4 MR 6
Fouls committed - TH 9 MR 21
Yellow Cards - TH 1 MR 1
Red Cards - TH 0 MR 0