Hibernian 1-0 Queen of South: Match Report

19 December 2015 17:32

Hibs leave it late to join Rangers at the top

Dominique Malonga came off the bench to fire Hibernian joint top of the Ladbrokes Championship with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Queen of the South.

Alan Stubbs' side knew victory would move them level on points with Rangers after the Ibrox outfit fell to a 2-1 defeat at Falkirk in the early kick-off, but they took a while to get going.

Liam Fontaine headed an early corner wide, while James Keatings failed to connect from close range as the hosts tried to grab a swift opener.

Mark Millar almost made them pay on 17 minutes, but the Queen of the South midfielder saw his free-kick well saved by Mark Oxley.

Moments later Jason Cummings tried his luck at the other end, but his stinging shot was kept out by Doonhamers keeper Robbie Thomson.

Hibs continued to huff and puff and Martin Boyle thought he had found a route to goal on the half-hour mark, however his right-footed shot found the side-netting.

Queen of the South captain Chris Higgins and Hibernian forward Cummings exchanged late first-half efforts yet neither could break the deadlock.

The Doonhamers began the second half well, with Millar again testing Oxley, but Hibs soon began to press for a winner.

Keatings fired a free-kick over the bar and Malonga saw an effort deflected wide of the post with 20 minutes remaining.

However, Malonga soon found his range and headed home David Gray's cross deep into added time to send Easter Road into raptures.


Source: PA