Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Despite a spirited comeback, Thornton were unable to take anything from this game played at the very impressive Peffermill complex.

The home side came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when Wayne Sproule's in-swinging corner-kick was cleared off the line by Elliot Ford but, just two minutes later, Martin Maughan showed why he is one of the league's leading scorers as he burst forward and finished in clinical style.

Another smart finish from Maughan had Leith two up by the 25th minute then barely sixty seconds later, Garry Thomson jnr must've thought he'd done enough to reduce the deficit but he watched in agony as his terrific volley crashed off the upright then rebounded off the goalie before being cleared from the danger zone.

The Hibs found themselves three down in the 51st minutes courtesy of Brodie Mackenzie's fantastic strike that gave Ryan Linton absolutely no chance and as the ball flew into the net it looked like Game, Set and Match for Steven Chalmers' side.

Just a few seconds later though, Leith were reduced to ten men after Michael Shaw received a red card for 'celebrating' immediately in front of the Hibs' technical area.

There's no doubt that this setback had a major influence on the way the rest of the game panned out because from then on it was almost all Thornton although Leith continued to look dangerous when they did get a rare breakaway.

Garry Thomson converted Jamie McNeish's cross in the 57th minute to throw the visitors a lifeline then the same man got on the end of Ben Rolland's corner-kick with seven minutes remaining, but the men from Memorial Park just couldn't find a route to goal again meaning that Leith's 100% start to the season remained intact.

GI Joinery Hibs' Man of the Match: Dean McMillan

Leith Athletic: McLellan, Hume, Allan, Morrice, Mein, Watson, Sproule, Mackenzie, Maughan, Redpath, Shaw. Subs: Smith, Day, Simpson, Tracey, Veitch, Stewart, Williamson.

Thornton Hibs: Linton, Ford, McMillan, S.Drummond, Shanks, Adam, McNeish, Ormiston, Garry Thomson jnr, Garry Thomson, Mackie. Subs: McNab, Coleman, Wilson, B.Rolland, L.Rolland, Trialist GK

Referee: Mr S.Gill

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - LA 5 TH 11
Attempts on target - LA 3 TH 5
Corners - LA 2 TH 5
Offside - LA 5 TH 3
Fouls committed - LA 14 TH 17
Yellow Cards - LA 4 TH 5
Red Cards - LA 1 TH 0