Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Earlier in the week it was announced that a fourth promotion place would be up for grabs giving both these teams fresh hope of playing in next season's First Division, and by the end it was the home side who snatched the victory that allowed them to ease into fourth spot.

The Hibs opened the scoring in the 11th minute as John Soutar headed home Jamie McNeish's cross, and barely sixty seconds later Joe Kinninmonth came close to making it two when he chipped the ball over the advancing James McQueen but, unfortunately for Thornton's top scorer, it also went over its intended target.

Arniston were awarded a hotly disputed penalty in the 19th minute when Ian Shanks was judged to have brought down Arran Laidlaw then after the stoor had settled following 'discussion' with the referee as to the validity of his judgement, Laidlaw stepped forward to smack the ball beyond Calum Sutherland.

Garry Thomson came close to restoring the Hibs lead from Sean Cunningham's pass but Stuart Drummond enjoyed better fortune in the 43rd minute when he headed Andy Adam's corner-kick beyond McQueen to give his side a half-time lead.

Daniel Greig's scrappy goal – but they all count! - levelled affairs in the 75th minute and four minutes later the Hibs were reduced to ten men after Garry Thomson received a second yellow card.

With just three minutes remaining, Sutherland's attempted clearance smacked off Niall Kemp with the ball spinning into open space and Kemp took full advantage to guide the ball into the unguarded net sparking off scenes of mass celebration amongst the Arniston players, management and supporters.

There was still time for Thornton to mount another attempt on goal and they came mightily close to claiming an equaliser when Kinninmonth's attempt appeared to cross the line but the referee was having none of it and waved play on.

Arithmetically it is not beyond Thornton to achieve fourth position by the end of the season but they will now be relying on others slipping up whilst at the same time they need to take maximum points from their four remaining games.

Arniston Rangers: McQueen, Anderson, Turner, Bell, Greig, McLachlan, Kemp, Moore, Laidlaw, Davies, Neave. Subs: Horsburgh, Coats, Graham, Grieve, Daly, Miller

Thornton Hibs: Sutherland, Laird, Cunningham, S.Drummond, Shanks, Adam, McNeish, Coleman, Kinninmonth, Thomson, Soutar. Subs: Johal, Daniel Meldrum, McMillan, McNab, Beard, Darren Meldrum, Ireland.

Referee: Mr M.Harris

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - AR 7 TH 15
Attempts on target - AR 3 TH 5
Corners - AR 3 TH 6
Offside - AR 1 TH 6
Fouls committed - AR 14 TH 8
Yellow Cards - AR 5 TH 4
Red Cards - AR 0 TH 1

Attendance: 187