Match reporter: JOHN LAING

The last time these clubs met the Gorebridge outfit ran out 4-0 winners so at least this time round Thornton managed to secure one point and at the end of the day a draw was probably a fair result.

The Hibs went ahead in the 17th minute after the visiting 'keeper, Aaron Hamilton, erred big style by dropping the ball in front of Garry Thomson who wasted no time in smacking the loose ball home. Three minutes before half-time, Hamilton atoned for this error by making a terrific save to prevent Jamie McNeish from making it 2-0.

Two minutes after the break James Scobie sent in a free-kick that Jordan Daly headed beyond Macauley Jarrett to level affairs and although Thornton came mighty close to going ahead again a wee while later when McNeish's powerful strike smacked off the crossbar, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 61st minute after Mikey Hamilton's perfect low cross picked out Ben McManus who made no mistake from a few yards out.

Six minutes later Stuart Drummond levelled from the penalty spot after Keir Allan had been impeded and this completed the scoring although Thomson might've snatched a late winner but for a great save from Hamilton.

Next Saturday, the Hibs make the trip to Perth to take on Kinnoull in the league. The last time this occurred was the 17th December 2016 when Thornton ran out 4-1 winners thanks to goals from Chris Ireland (2), Stuart Drummond and Daniel mcNab.

Sunnydale Executive Travel/ Station Hotel Hibs Man of the Match: Stuart Drummond

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Rodger, McMillan, Drummond, Cunningham, Allan, Keatings, Hain, Black, Thomson, McNeish. Subs: Doctor Battrick, McNab, Coleman, Jolicoeur, Soutar, Adam.

Arniston Rangers: Hamilton, Henderson, Daly, Ritchie, Woods, Muir, Scobie, Hamilton, Graham, McManus, Galloway. Subs: Heap, Thomas, Almass, Mason, Macandrew, O'Malley.

Referee: Mr K.Martin

Attendance: 75

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 9 AR 5
Attempts on target - TH 3 AR 4
Corners - TH 5 AR 3
Offside - TH 2 AR 1
Free kicks conceded - TH 10 AR 15
Yellow Cards - TH 3 AR 1
Red Cards - TH 0 AR 0

Statto's Corner:
* Thornton Hibs have now scored a goal in 500 games under Craig Gilbert. His tenure stretched to 582 games yesterday, with only eight games witnessing no goals for either side.
* Stuart Drummund netted his 50th League goal for the Hibs (total in all competitions - 69). This was his 41st penalty conversion.