This last game of the season win allowed Thornton to leapfrog Oakley United and Edinburgh United into third bottom place of the Premier League, although it wasn't enough to prevent them from being relegated. Unless of course the strong rumours that Falkirk Juniors have 'gone off the game' are true and then this victory would allow them to beat the drop on goal difference.

After their trialist goalie had made a great save to prevent John Robertson from giving Dalkeith the lead, short-staffed Hibs went ahead with quarter of an hour played when Lea Schiavone's shot took a helluva deflection off William Kidd and looped over the totally stranded David Hay.

If there had been a huge element of luck about the first goal then there was certainly no doubting the quality of the second in the 30th minute. Chris Ireland's terrific crossfield pass was brilliantly taken by Schiavone on the right. This gave him the chance to hit a superb shot that curled beyond Hay and into the far corner.

Ten minutes before half-time, Jack Wilson showed great skill on the left flank and his low cross was perfect for Schiavone who didn't have to break stride and his first time drive whizzed into the back of the net.

The second-half was a totally different ball game as Dalkeith enjoyed the bulk of possession although Thornton were looking dangerous on the break. Craig O'Reilly pulled one back in the 57th minute with a great strike not dissimilar to Schiavone's first goal and  when Paul Tansey further reduced the leeway with thirteen minutes remaining it was, as Sir Alex Ferguson once famously said, squeaky bum time.

Only a fantastic goal-line clearance by Jimmy Shields prevented Sean Lally from equalising with five minutes left and time will tell if the Hibs' defender's work will allow him to drive his sheep up Thornton Main Street!

Window Store Hibs' Man of the Match: Jimmy Shields

Dalkeith Thistle: Hay, Gavin, Woods, Kidd, Robertson, Spowart, Lally, O'Reilly, Carter, Tansey, Moriarty. Subs: Korpalski, Austin, Letson, Whitson, Linton.

Referee: Mr I.Sneddon