Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Thornton got back to winning ways at a sunny Memorial Park but they should really have done it wearing Dick Turpin masks 'cause there's no doubt that the East Lothian outfit will be wondering how they didn't take anything from this game.

Actually the answer to that is quite simple – Macauley Jarrett in the home goal, who went on to be chosen as the Hibs' MoM, made some terrific saves to keep a clean sheet. But hey - that's what he's there for!!

The first-half was pretty eeksy-peeksy with both teams having chances to break the deadlock the best of them coming shortly before half-time when the referee pointed to the spot after Kenzi McGair was judged to have brought down Anes Subasic in the box. Jarrett was equal to the task though as be brilliantly pushed Nicholas Reid's attempt wide of goal.

Early in the second-half the visitors began to turn the screw. First of all Ross Greig found Bradley Donaldson but his shot took the paint off the outside of the post then Jarrett denied Stuart Briggs with a fine save.

At the other end Sean Cunningham saw a shot cleared off the line after Alex Paredes had spilled Stuart Drummond's free-kick but 'normal service' was resumed shortly after when a long clearance found Reid but once again it was Jarrett to the rescue.

Drummond then blocked Andrew Dempster's netbound effort before Jarrett was called into action again to deny Stuart Briggs but arguably the Hibs' 'keeper's best stop came when he dived full length to divert Dempster's powerfully struck shot wide of goal.

So with the clock running down and the game still goal-less there were some Hibs' supporters wondering if their favourites could conjure up a smash 'n grab – and that's exactly what happened!

In the 89th minute substitute, Daniel McNab, sent in a fierce drive from the angle that Paredes tipped onto the crossbar with Garry Thomson nipping in to smack the loose ball home from close range for what turned out to be the winner which only goes to prove that there's only one stat that counts in football and that's how many goals that are scored!

The Sunnydale Executive Travel/ Station Hotel Hibs Man of the Match: Macauley Jarrett

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Rodger, McGair, Drummond, Cunningham, Allan, Simpson, Coleman, Robertson, Thomson, Black. Subs: Couser, Healy, McMillan, Kinninmonth, McNeish, McNab.

Preston Athletic: Paredes (T), Henderson, Gallantes, Donaldson, Jardine, Subasic, Greig, Reid, Dempster, Briggs, Tait. Subs: Forsyth, Stark, Weekes, Jack, McNeil, Black (T), O'Brien

Attendance: 127

Match statistics:
Total attempts at goal - TH 11 PA 15
Attempts on target - TH 5 PA 6
Attempts blocked - TH 3 PA 2
Corners - TH 3 PA 5
Offside - TH 3 PA 1
Free kicks conceded - TH 9 PA 15
Yellow Cards - TH 2 PA 1
Red Cards - TH 0 PA 0

Statto's Corner:
* Ciaran Healy made his 'debut' for the Hibs from the bench after signing from Bo'ness Athletic during the week. He had, of course, made four trialist appearances for Thornton during the 2023/24 season, scoring one goal - against Bo'ness Athletic!
* Garry Thomson's crucial last minute winner was his 125th goal scored at Memorial Park. Garry has now netted 280 times for Thornton Hibs from 438 appearances.
* Macaulay Jarrett's outstanding performance, including the penalty save, means he now has four clean sheets in eight appearances this season. Full record now 10 in 32.
* The Hibs' victory secured the League double over Preston Athletic after our 4-1 win at The Pennypit on the opening day of the season.