Hibernian 1-0 Queen of the South

Hibs' pressure finally told in stoppage time

Hibernian moved level on points with Scottish Championship leaders Rangers after Dominique Malonga headed a late winner against Queen of the South.

With Rangers losing at Falkirk earlier in the day, the incentive was clear for Alan Stubbs' men.

Liam Fontaine, James Keatings and Jason Cummings all came close as Hibs probed.

And the hosts' pressure told in the fourth minute of stoppage time as David Gray crossed for Malonga to nod past Robbie Thomson.

The visitors defended stoutly all afternoon and were far from happy since the goal came when the ball was dropped to Hibs following to an injury to Kyle Hutton.

Hibs, who visit Rangers on 28 December, started strongly as Fontaine headed wide.

Queens then responded with Mark Millar's free-kick saved by Mark Oxley.

A stinging effort by Cummings was kept out by Thomson and, in the second half, Keatings fired a free-kick over before substitute Malonga's effort was deflected wide.

Queens, for their part, remained a threat and Millar drew another save from Oxley.

Any prospect of a winner looked to have dwindled until captain Gray broke forward from the drop ball and his deep cross was met by Malonga at the back post.

For the second week running, Hibs fans were celebrating a stoppage-time goal as their unbeaten run stretched to 17 games.