Dunfermline Athletic 2 - 2 Hibernian

One day, two goals might be enough for 3 points. Today, at least, a point was gained, and given we were trailing to goals from Sproule and O’Connor, that may be a decent outcome. Again it was the Thomson twins who got the goals – Ryan with a quick riposte soon after O’Connor had doubled Hibernian’s lead, then Jason with the equaliser when his centre deflected off Hanlon.

It was another unusual kick-off time, but at least 12:30 on a Saturday didn’t cause too much inconvenience, although the fact the game was live on television did impact on the attendance. Having previously used his first choice 4-4-2- set-up for home matches Jim McIntyre may have changed his mind about his principal formation as he went with a 4-5-1 for the home match against the league’s bottom club. New signing Craig Easton had been added to the club’s lengthening injury list and so Ryan Thomson came in as a replacement, part of a trio in the middle of the park, operating in front of Mason to Gary’s right, with Paul Burns on his left. Having been subbed at half-time at Rugby Park, Alex Keddie retained his starting slot at centre-back alongside Andy Dowie. There were no other changes in personnel so we had Paul Gallacher in goals, Jason Thomson at right back and Auzzy McCann at left back, Cardle (with his new Jedward look) wide on the left, Graham widish on the right and Andy Kirk on his tod up front. The substitutes more or less chose themselves – Patrick Boyle joined usual occupants Chris Smith, Liam Buchanan, Andrew Barrowman, Paul Willis and John Potter and there was a second straight bench appearance for youngster Shaun Byrne.

Colin Calderwood has endured a difficult spell at Easter Road and adopted a more aggressive 4-4-2 line up, with familiar faces Garry O’Connor and Leigh Griffiths leading the attack, and speed-merchant Ivan Spoule, who has terrorised more than his fair share of left backs (including Iain Campbell on a previous visit to East End) starting on the left. Ex Ross County player Martin “Jimmy” Scott featured on the right, and the Hibees opted for a Hanlon O’Hanlon central defence.

With Hibs kicking off towards the McCathie stand in the middle of a sudden downpour, the Pars made a poor start. Cardle hit a horror cross-field pass straight to Griffiths and although that was defended the subsequent corner was not dealt with well, and Spoule lashed a loose ball wide from close range. The Pars had a further let-off when Sproule set up Griffiths whose shot hit Keddie’s heel and looped over the bar.

However, after the first 15 minutes the Pars made more of a fist of it – Graham’s 1-2 with Ryan Thomson allowed the yellow-booted wide player to play Kirk in on the right edge of the box but his cut-back to Thomson was intercepted, then Graham played a nice reverse pass to the other Thomson but the full back could only find the side-netting from close range.

The Pars were making use of two basic attacking choices – one was getting the ball to Cardle on the left and hoping he could pick out Kirk or the late arriving Ryan, the other was to get the ball to Jason Thomson who was playing very high up the park on the right, with a similar aim. With Palsson and the delightfully named Isaiah Osbourne defending deep, playing through the middle didn’t seem an option, although Jason Thomson’s ability to get up and down the right flank allowed David Graham to come inside and most of the Pars attacking threats saw him involved.

One typical move in 27 minutes saw Cardle turn back on his right and cross to the back post where Ryan nodded back to Graham but his drive was deflected for a corner. Of course, set pieces provided another option with the Pars scoring a rare goal last week from a corner, and from Cardle’s delivery the ball fell to Keddie but he miscued badly. This was a great chance, and Keddie knew it.

There was a nagging suspicion that Dunfermline could regret not taking advantage of their spell of superiority. One possible injustice was averted just after the half-hour when the ball was clearly out for a shy, yet the flag didn’t go up, and with Calum Murray looking at his assistant in vain, Sproule took a tumble over David Graham by the corner flag. However, Burns headed the free-kick clear at the near-post to put an end to any potential controversy. The other assistant was more on the ball when it came to throw-ins and from one such in 37 minutes Hibs took the lead. Richie Towell had not long had the rare distinction of being pulled up for a foul-throw and was more careful not to steal too many yards this time. Scott and Griffiths combined with the latter slipping in an unmarked Sproule who only had Gallacher to beat and finished calmly. 1-0 Hibs.

Hibs finished the half on top – a Towell overlap allowed Scott plenty of time to set himself up for a shot but another Keddie deflection, which could have gone anywhere, went wide. It would have been an injustice if that had gone in as well, but as it was, the Pars would feel a little bit bruised to be trailing at the break.

Half-time: Pars 0 Hibees 1

The second period started promisingly with both sides coming close early on. The Pars quickly won a corner when McCann’s cross was deflected behind by Griffiths but somehow Keddie managed to let the ball glance off his brow rather than getting a firm forehead on it. At the other end Gallacher earned his corn, first beating aside O’Connor’s effort after the centre-forward had burst through the Pars rearguard, then being first to the ball after Kirk had headed off the line (and the bar) from the subsequent corner.

However Gall was left wrong footed in 51 minutes when O’Connor was allowed time and space at the edge of the box. A drive, and a goal, with the ball taking a wicked deflection off Dowie. Oh dear oh dear oh dear – O’Connor was booked for removing his jersey to reveal a message about only God being able to judge, and 2-0 HIbs.