Match reporter: JOHN LAING

As they left the ground several Thornton supporters were heard debating as to whether this was two points lost or one point gained. Your reporter's opinion – for what it's worth – was that it was a point gained after hearing that two other teams in the top four (Preston Athletic & Blackburn United) had suffered defeats.

Both teams had chances to score before Dan McBay gave the Hibs an 11th minute lead after being set up by Dean McMillan. Ciaran Healy almost doubled this advantage only to see his effort blocked but there were no more goals before half-time.

The second-half was only seconds old when McBay came close to doubling Thornton's advantage but as the game went on Easthouses began to exert more pressure with Macaulay Jarrett coming to his side's rescue with saves from Steven Thomson, Keiran McGachie and Louis Swanson.

Then at the other end it was the home side's Dale Cornet that tipped a netbound Joe Kinninmonth header over.

In the 72nd minute Thomson's free-kick was knocked over the line by McGachie from close range to level affairs and that completed the scoring with the only other noteworthy thing coming in the 88th minute when Ryan Kearney was ordered off for a second yellow card offence.

Easthouses Lily: Cornet, Ritchie, Neil, McQueenie, McManus, Kearney, Leslie, Sives, Swanson, McGachie, Thomson. Subs: Simpson, Hill, Malloy, Murray, Ritchie, Dyet, Imrie.

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Grierson, McMillan, Drummond, Cunningham, Rodger, Black, Allan, Kinninmonth, McBay, Healy. Subs: Simpson, Coleman, Bennett, McNab.

Referee: Mr M.Dixon

Attendance: 44

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - EL 7 TH 9
Attempts on target - EL 4 TH 6
Attempts blocked - EL 0 TH 1
Corners - EL 4 TH 2
Offside - EL 1 TH 3
Free kicks conceded - EL 13 TH 16
Yellow Cards - EL 1 TH 3
Red Cards - EL 1 TH 0

Statto's Corner:
* Macaulay Jarrett made his 50th appearance for the Hibs. Made some great saves, particularly in the second half, but could not add to his 16 clean sheets.
* Manager Craig Gilbert lost his 100% record against Easthouses Lily after winning the previous six meetings. It was the 70th League draw under Gibby from 460 League games.