Match reporter: JOHN LAING

If Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, thinks that his team currently have defensive injury problems then he should spare a thought for his Thornton Hibs' counterpart, Craig Gilbert.

Going into this game the Hibs were without defenders, Stuart Drummond, Dean McMillan and Matthew Robertson and by full-time they'd also lost the services of goalkeeper, Jordan Millar and three centre-backs, Mikey Lee, Ian Shanks and Jimmy Shields. Lee was the first to depart the scene after only two minutes to be replaced by Shields.

In the tenth minute Adam Mansouri smashed the ball beyond Millar for the opener and six minutes later the same man hit an absolute screamer into the top corner to double his side's advantage.

A well-struck free-kick from Harris Kay barely sixty seconds later made it three but a minute after this Daniel McNab pulled one back from the spot after Garry Thomson had been brought down by Callum Brodie.

Shanks became the second defender to go off injured in the 31st minute and nine minutes after this Star regained their three goal lead in somewhat controversial circumstances. Millar came out to deal with a cross into the box and was injured in the process and fell heavily to the deck. With the Hibs' players and management appealing to the referee to stop the game, play continued for what seemed like an age before the ball was played into the danger area for Lee Bryce to stroke it into an empty goal.

Millar was able to carry on until half-time after receiving treatment but was replaced by Ryan Linton when it became apparent that he couldn't continue.

On the hour mark it was Shields' turn to limp off before the Hibs' day of woe was completed in the 69th minute when Ross Balmer stabbed the ball home from close range.

Thornton Hibs: Millar, Ford, A.Drummond, Shanks, Lee, Coleman, McNeish, McNab, Wilson, Garry Thomson, Adam. Subs: Ormiston, Garry Thomson jnr, Hoskisson, Hain, Mackie, Shields, Linton.

Kennoway Star Hearts: Brodie, Mair, Wallace, Griffin, Watson, Balmer, Mansouri, Collins, Bryce. Subs: Doctor, Wilson, Hughes, Roberts, Harrison, Brand, Walker.

Referee: Mr A.Budd