Early Jack McMillan effort enough as Livingston edge win over nine-man Hibernian

Posted Thursday, December 09, 2021 by PA

Jack McMillan’s first-half goal was enough to end Livingston’s run of six games without a win as they claimed a 1-0 cinch Premiership victory over struggling Hibernian at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

The win lifted the Lions from 11th to ninth but, for seventh-place Hibs – who had both Paul McGinn and Paul Hanlon sent off in the closing stages – it was a seventh loss in nine league matches and manager Jack Ross incurred the wrath of a section of the travelling support at the end.

Livingston boss David Martindale listed an unchanged team following his side’s 1-0 defeat at home to Hearts on Sunday.

Ross made one enforced alteration to the Hibs XI that started against Motherwell at the weekend as Jamie Murphy took the place of the injured Chris Cadden.

The hosts had the first sight of goal in the sixth minute but Nicky Devlin shot wide after being set up by Craig Sibbald just inside the box.

Hibs went close in the 10th minute when Kevin Nisbet headed a Joe Newell corner back into the danger area and it was glanced beyond goalkeeper Max Stryjek by Murphy, but Livingston’s Andrew Shinnie was perfectly placed to head the ball away from his goalmouth.

Two minutes later, Nisbet sent a free header straight at Stryjek from a Murphy cross.

Livingston went ahead in the 16th minute when McMillan drilled a low shot into the net from six yards out after the Hibs defence failed to deal with Shinnie’s low delivery across goal from the left.

The visitors had an immediate opportunity to get back on level terms when they won a controversial penalty after Martin Boyle went to ground in close proximity to Tom Parkes.

Replays suggested there was little contact and, after the Lions players protested the award, the Hibs attacker picked himself up and blazed his spot-kick high over the crossbar.

Scotland striker Nisbet then curled a free-kick just wide from 25 yards out in the 28th minute as Hibs went in frustrated at the interval.

Livi made one change for the start of the second half as Ayo Obileye replaced Parks, while Hibernian manager Ross opted to make two substitutions as Scott Allan and Christian Doidge were sent on in place of Murphy and Josh Campbell.

The Easter Road side had a couple of good chances in quick succession around the hour mark but Nisbet glanced a header wide from Josh Doig’s cross before Allan fired high over from a Boyle cutback.

Livingston felt aggrieved in the 66th minute when Hanlon escaped with a yellow card after clattering into Shinnie just as he looked to have a clear run on goal.

However, both McGinn and Hanlon were sent off for second bookable offences in the closing five minutes of a dire night for Hibs.