Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Thornton Hibs eventually made it into the third round of the Alex Jack Cup but they were made to fight all the way by a Tweedmouth side that totally belied their lowly position in the league.

The Hibs began the game on the front foot with Garry Thomson jnr seeing a diving header cleared off the line by Joao Vieria before Adam Mutch saved Darren Ormiston's volley.

It was the 19th minute when the visitors finally took the lead and it is one that Mutch would rather forget. He rolled a goal-kick out to Craig Heath who, under pressure from Ormiston, opted to return the ball to his 'keeper. Mutch was closed down right away by Thomson and as a result totally fluffed his attempted clearance leaving the Hibs nr 10 with the simplest of tasks to roll the ball over the line from close range.

Gradually the home side came more into things with Jordan Millar being brought into action to prevent Jay Baverstock and Regan Graham from equalising but he was powerless to keep out Drew Cummings' 36th minute dipping strike from distance.

Four minutes later Thornton regained the lead through Ormiston who chested the ball over the line from close range.

Ben Rolland further extended Thornton's lead in the 57th minute after he robbed Vieria then shrugged off challenges from Rhys Dixon and Cummings before cleverly clipping the ball beyond the advancing Mutch.

When supersub, Fergus Mackie, hit the fourth in the 78th minute the Hibs looked home and hosed but just three minutes later, Jack Forster's terrific overhead kick gave Millar absolutely no chance to reduce the deficit to two.

Three minutes later a great strike from Graham smashed off the crossbar with Andrew Wilson getting to the loose ball first. His attempted cross struck Matthew Robertson's arm with the referee immediately pointing to the spot before sending off the Hibs' full-back. Cummings netted the penalty so now it was game on.

Thornton thought that they should have been awarded a penalty in the 89th minute after Mackie looked to have been brought down by Cairan Hatsell but the ref was having none of it and the ball was hastily switched to the other end. Tweedmouth were awarded a free-kick that was taken by Cummings and it was perfect for Andrew Wilson to knock over the line at the back post.

Before the game could re-start, Callum Doran replaced the injured Millar in goal and a short while later the whistle sounded to send the game into extra-time.

In the 92nd minute, another great run from Rolland ended with a shot that was well saved by Mutch with Mackie pouncing on the loose ball only to see it smash off the upright before it fell kindly for Thomson whose low strike gave the home goalie no chance.

By the end of the first period Thornton were two goals to the good when Thomson showed great persistence to eventually get his shot away.

With three minutes remaining, Hatsell pulled one back so it was with a collective sigh of relief that Thornton's players, coaching staff and supporters greeted the final whistle when it was finally sounded at Old Shielfield.

GI Joinery Hibs' Man of the Match: Garry Thomson jnr.

Tweedmouth Rangers: Mutch, Baverstock, Heath, Dixon, Heath, Vieria, Colquhoun, D.Cummings, Robinson, Forster, Graham. Subs: J.Cummings, Hatsell, Wilson.

Thornton Hibs: Millar, McNeish, Robertson, S.Drummond, Adam, McWatt, Hain, Coleman, Ormiston, Thomson jnr, Rolland.Subs: Thomson snr, Mackie, Doran.

Referee: Mr L.Redpath

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TR 16 TH 19
Attempts on target - TR 11 TH 12
Blocked attempts - TR 1 TH 2
Corners - TR 5 TH 8
Offside - TR 10 TH 3
Fouls committed - TR 13 TH 15
Yellow Cards - TR 2 TH 3
Red Cards - TR 0 TH 1

Attendance: 74