Lasley filled the midfield vacancy created by O'Donnell's Achilles injury. He looked fit, showed a bit of pace at times and has to be an important part of the rebuilding of a team in need of inspiration.
We held our own for the first half hour though the home side had the better chances. Smith had a couple of many good saves before Benji opened the account. It was a cruel end to a good start from Paul Quinn. He had looked fairly secure but his failure to deliver a necessary tackle lead to the goal. Smith was left exposed and had no chance as he was rounded.
The second half saw us kicking off down the slope to the away end and again it was Smith who got the early call to action. He produced a couple of desperate saves inside the first five minutes before McGarry produced our only goal scoring chance of the game. His low shot from around fifteen yards beat the keeper but struck the post.
Brown netted the second following a one-two inside the box and Malpas was moved to make a belated change. Clarkson was withdrawn in favour of McCormack.
McBride managed to escape the hook despite a poor performance which got worse as the game progressed.
Hibs turned the screw in the last half hour and we were torn apart. The home side were able to pick their chances and almost collected the third when a back post header came off the post and was scrambled clear. It was not long delayed and Jones demonstrated the correct technique minutes later.
A Paterson blast flies wide
The home defence fell asleep after the fourth official held up his board showing two additional minutes and McDonald tapped in for an unworthy consolation.
The next two games (Thistle in the CIS at