HIBERNIAN will file this match against Dumbarton in the “didn’t play well but still won the game” category.
There was no sense of urgency amid a largely languid display from the hosts but they still managed to dig out a 2-0 victory with goals either side of the break from Paul Hanlon and Brian Graham.
In seeing off the challenge from the Sons, Neil Lennon’s team maintained their place at the Ladbrokes Championship summit on goal difference ahead of Dundee United, a team that they lost to eight days earlier.
“It was a good performance in the end,” acknowledged Lennon.
“I’m very pleased, it’s a good win, a good comeback and I’m pretty satisfied with it.
“Sometimes we have to create the atmosphere and force the game. I didn’t think we did that at the start but we got stronger and it could have been more comfortable.
“You could tell they were a bit nervous and a bit frustrated in the stands and I can understand that but we deserved the lead at half-time.
“I thought we started off quite sluggish, a bit flat and I don’t know why.
“It took us a wee while to get going but we finished the half very strongly and in the last half hour of the game I thought we were very good.”
Jason Cummings was restored to the Hibs team for the first time in seven matches, with Lennon making three changes to the side that was defeated for only the second time in the league this season at Tannadice.
Naturally, Cummings was keen to demonstrate his worth but the forward was bereft of service during a passive start that had provoked moans and groans from the home fans.
“It’s good for Jason to get the 90 minutes, although I don’t think he got any sniffs at goal,” added Lennon.
“I think it has hurt him being out but he has responded well and he’s looked sharp in training.”
Cummings was quiet but Hanlon was in the thick of the action.
The centre-half first went close with a header that he powered wide from an Andrew Shinnie corner in the 26th minute.
Hibs gradually awoke from their slumber and a strong finish to the half culminated in Hanlon putting his side in front.
There had been plenty of warning signs for the visitors in advance of the breakthrough goal.
After Cummings had a near post flick saved, Hanlon had a diving header from a Shinnie delivery well held by Alan Martin.
But there was no denying the defender just moments before the break, Hanlon swinging a piercing volley into the net from Cumming’s corner.
The second half was a largely nondescript affair. Hibs pressed without much success, while Dumbarton offered little at the other end.
Graham gave Hibs a two-goal cushion with a second in the 77th minute. The former Dundee United marksman cushioned a David Gray cross before firing a shot past Martin from 15 yards.
Sons keeper Martin ensured Hibs did not win by a greater margin after getting down well to repel a stinging Martin Boyle effort in the dying stages.
After being eliminated in the Scottish Cup by junior side Bonnyrigg Rose in midweek, Sons manager Stevie Aitken was encouraged by the display in Edinburgh.
“I thought we started really well and we got a positive reaction after losing on Tuesday,” he said. “Everybody knows we let the club down, myself and the players.
“It’s never an easy place to come to but I thought we acquitted ourselves really well.”
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