Hibernian 4-2 Gretna

A spirited comeback at Easter Road was not enough to prevent another away defeat as Steven Fletcher inspired Hibs to victory. 

After falling three behind, Gavin Skelton and Kenny Deuchar gave the visitors hope with two goals in the final ten minutes.

It was only when goalkeeper Greg Fleming was sent off in injury-time, allowing Fletcher to complete a hat-trick from the penalty spot, that the Hibees made sure of the points.

Having limped off against their Edinburgh Rivals five days earlier, Aurélien Collin was a surprise inclusion in young Gretna defence. He was joined by Craig Barr and Rhys Meynell, who replaced the injured Chris Innes and the suspended Danny Hall.

They made a confident start and within the first minute, John Paul Kissock had Yves Ma-Kalambay at full-stretch to keep out his powerful 20 yard drive.

But it was the home side who opened the scoring with their first attack of the game on 10 minutes. Fletcher outmuscled Naughton on the left and sent an inviting cross along the six-yard line for new-boy Colin Nish to slide into the net.

And they doubled their lead nine minutes later when Fletcher seized on a loose header from Naughton 20 yards from goal and unleashed a volley that took a slight deflection off Craig Barr on its way past Greg Fleming.

The Scotland U21 International was proving to be real handful and moments later he found space in the box to smash a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

As well as the woodwork, Gretna had Fleming to thank for keeping the game alive. He produced a brilliant double save, pushing away a low Felipe Morais shot before diving to his left again to block Fletcher’s follow-up.

Gretna responded before the break and Skelton shot straight at Ma-Kalambay from a good position before Deuchar beat the Hibs keeper to Kissock’s free-kick, only to see his header fall the wrong side of the post.

And they started the second-half in the same way they began the first with Kissock drawing another fine save from Ma-Kalambay from outside the box.

But their defensive frailties were exposed again on 57 minutes when Morais found Fletcher in acres of space in the box and he controlled the ball on his chest before firing into the roof of the net.

It looked like game over but Davie Irons’ side continued to attack the Hibees and Deuchar should have reduced the deficit when he rose highest to meet Buscher’s corner but his header was off-target.

However, they did pull a goal back on 81 minutes when substitute Brendan McGill broke on the right and cut the ball back for Skelton to sweep the ball in from close range.

Moments later, McGill volleyed wide at the far post as Hibs looked increasingly vulnerable.

And Gretna scored a second two minutes from time when Deuchar found the net with a trademark header from a Kissock free-kick.

But any hopes of rescuing a point dashed in injury time when Fletcher released Nish and he went to ground after a challenge by Fleming. Referee Iain Brines wasted no time in pointing to the spot and producing an inevitable red card for the keeper.

Having used all three substitutes already, Kenny Deuchar put on the gloves but couldn’t prevent Fletcher from completing his hat-trick.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, Hogg, Fletcher, Morais (Chisholm 69), Beuzelin (Kerr 58), Gatheussi, Rankin, Shiels (O’Brien 75), Nish, Murray, Zarabi. Subs not used: McNeil, Zemmama, Benjelloun, Stevenson.

Gretna: Fleming, Naughton, Meynell (Deverdics 60), Barr, Collin (Shultz-Eklund 69), Murray, Skelton, Griffiths (McGill 60), Buscher, Deuchar, Kissock. Subs not used: Krysiak, Baldacchino, Makinwa, Wilkinson.

Star Man: John Paul Kissock
It was another eye-catching performance from the 18 year-old who has made a big impression during his short time at the club. He combined well with Gavin Skelton and Kenny Deuchar on several occasions and Yves Ma-Kalambay had to be at his best to deny the Everton youngster his first goal.

Attendance: 12,087
Referee: Iain Brines