The Thistle Archive

Sam Stanton nodded in a late leveller for 10-man Hibs to keep Terry Butcher's men in eighth place in the Premiership. The home side were staring at a seventh straight loss as they trailed to Kris Doolan's early goal. Thistle keeper Paul Gallacher was in inspired form, denying Michael Nelson with two fantastic saves, while Hibs hit the post twice before the interval. Nelson was ordered off for a second booking but the hosts kept pushing and Stanton looped in header on 88 minutes. With two games remaining in the struggle to avoid the relegation play-off, Hibs and Thistle each have 35 points - one better off than Ross County and two ahead of Kilmarnock, who visit already-relegated Hearts on Sunday. Easter Road erupted in relief when Stanton struck since it had looked like the Edinburgh side were heading for a real hard luck story. The hosts were on the front foot right from the start but found themselves behind after eight minutes. Doolan chased after a headed flick-on, with Ben Williams advancing from his line but the goalkeeper could only knock the ball against the sliding striker and it rolled into an empty net. A menacing counter-attack from the visitors instigated by Kallum Higginbotham then ended with a Stuart Bannigan effort spinning over the top via a deflection. Hibs then enjoyed a period of intense pressure but could not find a leveller as a Jason Cummings header flashed wide and Liam Craig failed to get past Gallacher when one-on-one with the keeper. Gallacher surpassed that save with a fantastic stop to keep out a thunderous half-volley from Michael Nelson and Cummings' header from the loose ball thumped against the post. Thistle defenders were throwing themselves into challenges in a busy penalty area as Hibs keep pressing and Gallacher made another flying save from a Nelson header, with the ball again coming off the woodwork in an almighty scramble. Hibs were four against two on the break but teenage striker Cummings was caught by Higginbotham before a deflected effort from Stanton skidded just wide and Ryan McGivern glanced a header narrowly off target from the corner. The visitors, who were forced into two early changes as Doolan and Lee Mair picked up injuries, had a great chance to extend their lead on the stroke of half-time when Chris Erskine had the goal at his mercy but the midfielder's side-foot shot lacked the power to beat Williams. Kevin Thomson was forced off with an injury early in the second half and Hibs lost their way without his drive and poise in midfield. With the quality of play deteriorating, the goalmouth action dried up and Thistle looked more comfortable sitting deep in defence. On 70 minutes, Piccolo made a crucial interception to prevent an Alan Maybury cross reaching Craig or Cummings and, soon after, a Lewis Stevenson delivery whizzed across the face of goal. Nelson got his head to a free kick in the penalty box but once again there was Gallacher to clutch the ball under pressure on his line. Higginbotham cracked a strike wide and Williams held an effort from Christie Elliott as the Jags scurried forward occasionally. And there was soon more room for the visitors to attack as Nelson was shown his second yellow card for a hack at Lyle Taylor. But it was depleted Hibs who summoned one final push as Gallacher clawed away a curling free kick from Craig before he was finally beaten when Stanton leapt impressively to reach a James Collins header and steered the ball over the keeper.

bbc.com

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