Match reporter: JOHN LAING

The Hibs travelled to Perthshire for their SEVENTH away game on the trot and ended up collecting another valuable three points in their pursuit of promotion.

It has to be said that neither 'keeper had much to do for almost half an hour, indeed your reporter had just written in his notepad that if only the amount of shots on target was equal to the amount of tractors and trailers that passed Brownlands Park then we would've had a real game on our hands.

But then Murray Black's perfect low cross was smashed home by Keir Allan to put Thornton ahead in the 28th minute and this goal had the effect of bringing the game to life because just three minutes later The Bleachers number seven, Jack Johnston, brought out a fine save by Macaulay Jarrett.

Shortly after this the home side were reduced to ten men. A poor tackle – and I use the word 'tackle' loosely – on Jamie McNeish by Dale Smart resulted in just a yellow card being shown however the Luncarty nr9 was involved in some 'afters' which resulted in him being 'rewarded' with a second yellow.

Following some on pitch treatment, McNeish had to be helped from the field with Stuart Drummond being his replacement.

Allan came close to doubling the Hibs advantage but it was Shaun Keatings who enjoyed better luck in the 45th minute with a fierce drive from the edge of the big box.

Early in the second-half appeals for a penalty fell upon deaf ears as Allan went down following a challenge by James Yates.

Despite being down to ten men the home side gave as good as they got for the rest of the game but there was no more scoring with Jarrett recording his ninth clean sheet of the season.

Luncarty: Simpson, Clarke, Johnston, Smart, McAllister, Sweeney, Rae, Yates, Urquhart, Walker, Coutts. Subs: Curtis Dobie, Smith, Mackenzie, Barr, Sullivan.

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

Referee: Mr M.Walsh

The Decorland/Station Hotel Man of the Match: Murray Black