Big decisions cost the Hibs dear in this game but at the same time if you concede five goals at home then you really don't deserve to win!

Allan Cruickshank gave the visitors an 11th minute lead with a low drive and it took until the 37th minute before Chris Ireland equalised. Incredibly, there was still time for another two goals before half-time with Gordan Pirie volleying The Berrypickers back in front and Ireland levelling affairs once again.

Three minutes into the second-half, Ireland completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Ian Hepburn had been brought down by Steven Findlay but this lead lasted just two minutes until Paul Maloney made it all-square once more. After just another two minutes, Coco Mullen put the Hibs back in front before the first controversial decision came.

In the 56th minute, Matthew Robertson's cross from the right flank was perfect for Garry Thomson to score for the fifth game on the trot – or so almost everyone thought! After initially awarding the 'goal' the referee deemed that the ball had touched the offside Chris Ireland before it reached the net. Only thing was that photographic evidence (no Photoshop required!) proved that the Hibs' striker was onside and in any case, the ball never touched him. To be fair to the referee, he had no assistants to help him with this big decision.

Thomson had another chance to extend Thornton's lead but Findlay atoned for his earlier gaffe with a terrific goal-line clearance and this proved crucial as Paul Maloney followed up to smash the ball home after Rudi Brown's 67th minute strike had smacked off the upright.

With two minutes remaining, Blairgowrie were awarded a free-kick with the Hibs' skipper, Ian Hepburn, being sent-off for protesting too much about this. To rub salt in the wounds, Gary Axworthy's strike from some distance flashed beyond Dean Gear into the net for what was the eventual winner.

Another big decision that didn't go Thornton's way came in stoppage time when Axworthy appeared to bring down Shaun Keatings in the area but no penalty was awarded.  

GI JOINERY Hibs' Man of the Match – Chris Ireland

Thornton Hibs: Gear, M.Robertson, D.McMillan, Drummond, Shields, McGowan, Keatings, Hepburn, Ireland, Strachan, Thomson. Subs: Henderson, Mullen, Coleman Crichton, Clark.

Blairgowrie: O'Brien, Findlay, McDonald, Millar, Brash, Axworthy, Brown, Pirie, Maloney, Plenderleith, Cruickshank. Subs: Kelly, Mitchell.

Referee: Mr B. Reid