Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Prior to this First Division match kicking off a minute's silence was observed in memory of a Hibs' great, Alex Carswell, whose funeral had taken place earlier in the day. In the 1968/69 season he scored no fewer than 46 goals and Thornton could've done with him for this game because it wasn't until the 90th minute that Murray Black finally broke the deadlock.

And yet the visitors could've gone ahead in the 2nd minute but Calum Murray smashed the ball over the bar.

The best chance for a first-half goal came in the 44th minute when Thornton were awarded a penalty for a handball which Lochore players hotly disputed. Keir Allan took it but unfortunately for him Dylan Fleming was equal to the task with a fine save.

In the second-half goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium although Allan came desperately close to atoning for his penalty miss with a great strike that was deflected onto the post.

Just as it looked as if the game was going to finish goal-less Black battered home his first goal of the season and it couldn't have been better timed.

Another bonus was that Macaulay Jarrett recorded his tenth clean sheet of the season but only after he made another outstanding save in added time.

Sunnydale Executive Travel/Station Hotel Hibs' Man of the Match: Ciaran Healy

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

Lochore Welfare: Fleming, Small, Black, Donaldson, Kirby, Reddington, Warrender, Gait, Watt, Murray, Briggs. Subs: Morgan, Christie, Allan, Anderson, Page, Callaghan, Cusick.

Referee: Mr O.Kidd

Attendance: 123

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 11 LW 10
Attempts on target - TH 7 LW 4
Attempts blocked - TH 1 LW 0
Corners - TH 9 LW 3
Offside - TH 1 LW 1
Free kicks conceded - TH 10 LW 8
Yellow Cards - TH 1 LW 1
Red Cards - TH 0 LW 0

Statto's Corner:
* The Hibs won their fourth League game in a row - all with clean sheets
* Macaulay Jarrett kept his 10th clean sheet of the season and his 16th in 48 appearances for the Hibs
* Murray Black's goal was his fourth goal involvement in four games after three consecutive assists
* The 1-0 scoreline was the 30th time this has been recorded under Craig Gilbert (620 matches)