Saturday 10th December 2016
DUMBARTON fought bravely but ultimately could not contain a determined Hibs side at Easter Road this afternoon, going down 2-0 to goals either side of the break.
Sons started well, claiming the majority of possession in the first 20 minutes and pressing forward. Hibs, meanwhile, had two attacks which petered out without danger.
On 24 minutes the home side claimed their first corner, resulting in a steaming Brian Graham header which catapulted wide.
From that point on Hibs applied wave after wave of pressure on the Dumbarton back line, finally gaining the lead just before the break as Paul Hanlon stole in on the blind side from a corner to strike home.
Both sides had chances in the first 25 minutes of a tough and competitive second half.
But once again a strong Hibernian team began to exert control, having a goal disallowed for offside on 69 minutes.
On 76 minutes the Easter Road men effectively sealed victory when Brian Graham found space in the 18-yard box to bring the ball down and volley past Alan Martin for a 2-0 lead.
Sons managed to shore things up in the closing stages, but could not find a way of breaking back.
With St Mirren and Dunfermline both getting wins, the defeat adds pressure to Dumbarton at the bottom end of the Ladbrokes SPFL Championship, despite a determined display.
Full match report and match photos now online; Sons TV to follow.
Simon Barrow