Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Although Kinnoull's Ben Ragan, Evan Wolecki and Sean Fergus all came close to breaking the deadlock with Harris Jolicoeur having Thornton's only real attempt on goal, there was no scoring by the time Scott Donohoe sounded his half-time whistle.

The game-changing moment came in the 64th minute after the ref halted proceedings for a water break at the sun-drenched Tulloch Park.

Before the game could re-start the Hibs brought on Daniel McNab, Ross Hain and Robbie Westwaters and just seconds later, Hain's crossfield pass found Shaun Keatings. His deep cross picked out McNab at the back post and he headed the ball beyond Sam Townsley to open the scoring.

By the 78th minute it was 'job done' as Stuart Drummond's free-kick was headed back across goal by Westwaters to McNab who nodded the ball over Townsley to complete the scoring.

This hard earned victory means that Thornton Hibs will play in next season's First Division as it is now mathematically impossible for them to be relegated.

Sunnydale Executive Travel/ Station Hotel Hibs' Man of the Match: Daniel McNab

Kinnoull: Townsley, Fergus, Scott, Clark, Wolecki, Ragan, Burton, Barbour, Scott, Middleton, Irvine. Subs: Glen, Hughes, Graham, Anderson, Duffy, Young, Cowan.

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

Referee: Mr S.Donohoe

Attendance: 53

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - Kin 9 TH 8
Attempts on target - Kin 4 TH 4
Corners - Kin 5 TH 6
Offside - Kin 0 TH 1
Free kicks conceded - Kin 12 TH 10
Yellow Cards - Kin 2 TH 1
Red Cards - Kin 0 TH 0

Statto's Corner:
* Daniel McNab's match-winning double was his first for two years. He last did this in April 2023 when an early goal in each half set the Hibs up for a 5-3 win over Stirling University.
* Macaulay Jarrett recorded his sixth clean sheet of the season as the Hibs became the last team in the League to keep a clean sheet away from home. League leaders Camelon now have 15 clean sheets in their 26 games so far this season.
* The Hibs under Craig Gilbert have now played Kinnoull ten times in the League. Record to date is: P10, W4, D1, L5, GF18, GA21.