HIBERNIAN leapfrogged Rangers to go back into second place, albeit on goal difference and having played two extra games, after a turgid affair which saw the Sons finish with 10 men.
It ended a run of three successive defeats for Alan Stubbs' side and rekindled hopes of finishing as Championship runners-up to Edinburgh rivals Hearts - setting the stage perfectly for Sunday's derby match.
A win for Dumbarton would have seen their Championship place secured for next season. The Sons came into the match last night unbeaten in their previous three home matches and with a hat-trick of clean-sheets. At times Ian Murray's side oozed confidence, despite just three wins in their previous 14 outings. But the red card shown to Chris Turner in 58 minutes changed the game dramatically in Hibs' favour.
Hibs had the first chance in 15 minutes when Lewis Stevenson swung over a cross from the left which picked out Farid El Alagui, but the striker, 10-yards out, headed just over.
Two minutes later El Alagui passed up a guilt-edged chance to put the Easter Road side in front when Scott Allan found Boyle racing down the right and his low cross found the French-born Moroccan unmarked six yards out, but somehow he scooped the ball over the crossbar.
Hibs were awarded a penalty in 36 minutes by referee Craig Charleston when Scott Agnew sent Liam Craig sprawling. El Alagui stepped up, but his spot-kick was turned onto the right-hand post by goalkeeper Danny Rogers at full stretch, the ball rolled along the line, struck the other post and incredibly came out to safety.
Hibs finally took the lead three minutes from the break when Allan whipped in a right-foot corner from the left for Paul Hanlon to nip in front of Turner and send his eight-yard header soaring into the net.
Dumbarton might have levelled six minutes after the restart when a slack clearance out of defence by Lewis Stevenson fell for Scott Taggart 20 yards out, but Oxley produced a terrific save.
Hibs were under the cosh, and the Sons deservedly equalised in 55 minutes when Oxley spilled another low 18-yard shot from Taggart and Mitch Megginson followed up to clip home the rebound over the goalkeeper from six yards.
Tensions were high and tempers flared two minutes later when Jordan Forster was yellow carded for a foul on Chris Turner, who reacted badly with a push in the defenders face forcing the referee to thrust the red card into his.
Hibs exploited the extra space and got the winner in 66 minutes when Stevenson began the move down the right, Taggart failed to clear and Allan nipped in and drilled the ball low across the face of the Dumbarton goal for Jason Cummings to ram the ball home from six yards out.
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