Dumbarton 0-1 Hibernian
- Published
Commons' emergency loan from Celtic expires on Sunday
Kris Commons cracked in the only goal as Hibernian stretched their lead in the Championship to six points.
His 14th-minute volley, in the last game of his emergency loan from Celtic, was enough to see off a determined Dumbarton side.
The hosts created several openings and will wonder how Christian Nade failed to score from close range.
It was not vintage from Hibs, but a potentially important win in the title race as Dundee United could only draw.
Technique alone was not enough to separate Hibs from the home side - and both Martin Boyle and Chris Humphrey found early runs affected by a bobbly surface and Marvin Bartley had to hack a Gary Fleming shot clear from inside the area.
The visitors had to be resourceful and their shrewdest, most assured figure inevitably delivered a telling moment. When Humphrey's cross was headed away inside the area, the ball dropped to Commons and he carefully steered the ball into the bottom corner.
Hibs extend their lead after nearest rivals Dundee United drew at home with Queen of the South
The goal ought to have empowered Hibs, but they were unable to take command of the game.
The home side, instead, proved persistent and Lewis Vaughan briefly rose to prominence.
First, he created a chance for Robert Thomson with good skill, only for Hibs captain David Gray to make a goal-saving tackle, and then drew a good save from Ross Laidlaw with a powerful shot from 25 yards.
Hibs were more assertive after the break, with Boyle making several forays down the left with his quick and direct running. Lewis Stevenson also saw a strike bundled away by Dumbarton goalkeeper Alan Martin, with Humphrey then shooting wide
The home side remained ambitious, though, and some neat skill from Vaughan saw him skip past two Hibs defenders only for Laidlaw to rush out and smother the ball at his feet. Gray then had to head another effort off the line.
On a rare foray upfield by Hibs, an attack ended with Dumbarton defender David Smith clearing off the line. Moments later, Nade should have equalised at the back post, but failed to connect.
What the managers said
Dumbarton manager Steve Aitken: "My team were magnificent. They were up against a strong side, a big club and Neil will get them over the line, but we matched them and for spells were better. On another day, we would have taken more.
"We had chances, Christian's probably came too quickly at him.
"If they can keep giving me that [level of performance], we'll be fine."
Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon: "It was very tough. Dumbarton are on the up, Stevie's going a great job, [and it was] difficult conditions.
"It's a fantastic win and in the end we missed some good chances to put a more flattering scoreline on it.
"Dumbarton put us under pressure for periods of the game and we had to see it out. In the end, we just about deserved to tip over the line."
- Published14 January 2017
