Some Hibernian fans probably dreamt of being transported back in time when they watched Pat Stanton lead out the side on Saturday to join some of his team-mates from the 'Turnbull's Tornadoes' era.

The Leith club threw a party for their former captain and manager on his 70th birthday and Alan Stubbs' team applied the icing on the cake.

But those Hibs diehards old enough to remember Stanton in his playing days are no doubt frustrated by what is on offer at Easter Road today.

Jason Cummings' last-gasp winner against the part-timers merely papered over the cracks as Hibs ended a run of three SPFL Championship losses but the home side's spirit after going 2-1 down, and debutant Dominique Malonga's performance, were among the positives.

The France-born Congolese forward, who signed 10 days ago from Italian Serie A side Cesena, helped spark the revival with a lively performance and a goal from the penalty spot.

Despite being on the pitch a matter of minutes, the 25-year-old was not shy in offering his services for the penalty before tucking away the equaliser with aplomb.

It is that kind of self-assurance that Hibs need to show collectively in the coming weeks if they are to challenge for promotion.

Malonga said: "I think I am here to be a leader, to inspire more confidence in the team. I think I can do that. I am a confident player, that's my quality. Yes, I was going to take the penalty. I want to be a leader here. I want to win every game and inspire my team to win those games. Right now I just want to work hard to be 100 per cent for my team. I know it will take hard work for me and my team-mates."

The feelgood factor inside Easter Road after Stanton's appearance grew on 26 minutes when Jordon Forster headed in Matthew Kennedy's cross. But the home side collapsed in six second-half minutes when Sean Higgins equalised before Jon Robertson put the visitors ahead.

Hibs played Malonga as striker after Farid El Alagui was ruled out for up to six months with a ruptured Achilles tendon, and his spot kick in the 78th minute was the foundation for Cummings' winning goal.

Malonga said: "I think, the way Hibs play, I will get chances. We had a lot of chances to score on Saturday. The last goal came at the very end but we had chances to win the game long before then. It was a good performance by the team. We are a very good team, we had control of the game.

"But there was just five or 10 minutes in the game when Cowdenbeath played well. That is when we needed to stay focused because any slip and they could have scored another goal."

Jimmy Nicholl's Cowdenbeath remain rooted to the Championship basement with one point from five games, and captain John Armstrong was angered that referee John McKendrick gave Hibs a lifeline with the penalty after Armstrong had tugged Forster's jersey.

Armstrong said: "I did have a hold of his shirt but as far as I'm concerned if you're giving that then it's a penalty every week in every game. It's so soft, he is going nowhere and had his back to goal - it's not as if he has turned and I've pulled him back. I don't believe for a second that if it had been in their box that we would have got a penalty."