The fact that Blackburn were just holding on at the end to claim all three points was down to the performance of Thornton's stand-in goalkeeper, Matthew Clark. The regular custodian, Ryan Linton, was injured so Clark answered Craig Gilbert's mercy call to go between the sticks as a trialist.

Blackburn could've been out of sight by half-time but for Clark's sterling work as he denied Richard Hutton (twice), Brian Ross and Michael Browne. Just as it looked as if the first-half would end goal-less, Richard Hutton pounced on the loose ball to shoot home just a second or two after Clark had made another good save from Ross.

This was no more than the visitors deserved but it was a different game in the second-half as the Hibs enjoyed far more possession in the Blackburn half. They had no real cutting edge though with Kyle Marley rarely being called upon to make saves.

The closest Thornton came to equalising was in the 88th minute when Nathan Feeley turned and got a shot in only to watch in despair as the ball came back off the upright.  

GI Joinery Hibs' Man of the Match – Matthew Clark

Thornton Hibs: Trialist, Crichton, M.Robertson, S.Drummond, Shields, Coleman, Keatings, Hepburn, Buchan, Thomson, McNab. Subs: Strachan, Taylor, Ireland, Feeley, Burns.

Blackburn United: Marley, Herriot, Drummond, Mildrew, Rarity, Williamson, Ross, Young, Browne, Campbell, Hutton. Subs: Gowans, McQuillan, Donaldson, Ward, King.

Referee: Mr C.Whyte
 
Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 9 BU 11
Attempts on target - TH 6 BU 6
Corners - TH 3 BU 6
Offside - TH 1 BU 2
Fouls committed - TH 13 BU 12
Yellow Cards - TH 3 BU 5
Red Cards - TH 0 BU 0