Arbroath 1-3 Hibernian: Premiership side come from behind to reach Scottish Cup quarter-finals
- Published
Kevin Nisbet scored Hibs' second goal
Manager Shaun Maloney praised Hibernian's "strong mentality" as they came from behind to beat Arbroath and reach the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
Second-half close-range finishes from Kevin Nisbet and Chris Mueller ended a five-game wait for a victory for the Edinburgh side.
Craig Wighton fired Arbroath ahead from close range after six minutes.
But Demetri Mitchell headed the equaliser as Hibs ended part-time Arbroath's 13-game unbeaten home run.
News of the departure of Stephen Glass from Aberdeen and Allan Johnston from Queen of the South in the hours before kick-off might have added some trepidation to Maloney's mood considering his own side's recent dip in form.
However, Hibs recovered from a shaky opening much to Maloney's satisfaction.
"I think what they showed was a real desire not to be beat," he said. "When you have a big setback after six minutes against a team from a division below, they showed a really strong mentality to come back.
"It wasn't just fight though. The players showed some quality as well with the way we passed through them at times.
"You have to be very wary of these games and there's a reason it's on TV. I understand that dynamic.
"I'm just really pleased for the players with what they showed today. Hopefully there is momentum now."
The early breakthrough came as Arbroath pressed in typical high style. Captain Colin Hamilton's curling cross found Wighton's head and, when it deflected off Josh Doig's back, the on-loan Dunfermline Athletic striker poked home the rebound from close range.
Doig almost made amends with a header of his own as Hibs responded with plenty of pressure. But the home side went close to extending their lead with a Michael McKenna shot into the side netting, while a last-ditch Ryan Porteous tackle denied Jack Hamilton in front of goal as both sides hesitated waiting for an offside flag.
Hibs' domination of possession paid dividends when Lewis Stevenson's cross found Mitchell unmarked and the former Manchester United midfielder headed home from close range.
Goalkeeper Derek Gaston's outstretched leg denied Chris Cadden before his double stop prevented Nisbet giving Hibs a half-time lead.
Arbroath responded to whatever manager Dick Campbell said at the break as Wighton, Scott Stewart and Jack Hamilton forced blocks from goalkeeper Matt Macey.
Mitchell then wasted a chance of his second goal by firing into the side-netting close range.
However, it was Nisbet, until then looking an increasingly frustrated figure, who pounced to settle Hibs' nerves. The striker cushioned a Ewan Henderson cross on the edge of the six-yard box and fired superbly high past Gaston from a difficult angle on the turn.
There was still time for winger Mueller, the January arrival from Orlando City, to force in his first Hibs goal.
Man of the match - Lewis Stevenson
Veteran left-back Lewis Stevenson (right) has adapted well to being moved into Hibs' midfield and his composed passing helped ease pressure on his side
What they said
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell: "I've no complaints whatsoever. I'm very proud of the players, but I just felt that things didn't fall for us.
"We had two fantastic chances early in the second half and you need everything to go for you on days like this. You can see the depth in quality Hibs have and they are worthy winners."
Hibs manager Shaun Maloney: "We should have scored more again and, at the start of the second half, we needed our goalkeeper and I was disappointed with the goal. But it was only six minutes in and I still had belief that we would create chances and we were clinical when we needed it."