PARS 1-1 Hibernian

KALLUM HIGGINBOTHAM’S second half spot-kick earned Pars a deserved point against league leaders Hibernian this afternoon.

John McGinn’s well-taken 12th minute strike gave the visitors the lead but Higginbotham’s leveller just before the hour mark inched Dunfermline closer to securing Championship safety.

Unsurprisingly, Allan Johnston named the same team that ended Morton’s unbeaten home record at Cappielow last Saturday, with John Herron’s booking to trigger a ban not taking effect until next weekend.

Visiting boss Neil Lennon made two changes from his team’s tumultuous midweek draw with the Greenock club; out went Grant Holt and James Keatings to be replaced by Brian Graham and Dylan McGeouch.

There was action at both ends in an entertaining opening to the game as Lewis Stevenson had a decent opening blocked for the Hibees, while Nicky Clark was unlucky not to make a better connection with a well-worked corner kick to the near post.

Nat Wedderburn, who opened his Pars account last Saturday, clearly fancied adding to that and did well to rob Marvin Bartley of possession 25 yards out to shoot, but the ball ended wide.

But just two minutes later, it was the visitors opened the scoring.

A wicked corner was cleared out by John Herron but, with no Pars players upfield, Hibs regained possession. The talented McGinn moved away from attempts to challenge him before unleashing a terrific shot from range low into the bottom left corner of Sean Murdoch’s net.

Pars almost responded when Paul McMullan did brilliantly to steal the ball on the slide from Ofir Marciano on the left of the box as he attempted to dive on it, but the keeper blocked his difficult attempt at goal.

He was called into action again just before the half hour when Callum Morris, who had previously been harshly booked for a foul on McGinn, connected with Kallum Higginbotham’s free-kick but his header was tipped over.

At the other end, a corner played short to Stevenson was swung in and Graham headed wide before Clark had a half chance from a good Higginbotham knock-down, but he snatched at it and the ball ended well wide.

The Pars were getting into some decent areas, such as when Moffat flighted a ball from the edge of the area looking for McMullan or Clark, but they struggled to fashion a glaring, clear opportunity throughout the first half.

There was another opportunity for Morris, who did well to meet Talbot’s free-kick after Paul McMullan was clattered, but he couldn’t generate enough power as it was an easy save for Marciano.

Murdoch was called into action right on half time as he raced from his line to block as McGinn attempted to find Jason Cummings, but the visitors held their lead at the break.

But within two minutes of the restart, Dunfermline had a huge let-off.

Talbot did well to win the ball from Martin Boyle but Moffat failed to clear, gifting it to McGinn. His shot was saved well by Murdoch but, as the ball broke loose, it was returned across goal for Graham who, with the goal gaping from less than six yards, somehow turned it wide.

Moments later there was another scare when Bartley picked out Graham’s run on the right, but his low ball was missed by Cummings as it flashed across goal.

Dunfermline however came back into it with some promising play and Clark had, an albeit difficult, opportunity from Higginbotham’s deep cross but he couldn’t head the ball on target.

Then, in the 58th minute, they levelled in controversial fashion.

Moffat’s stinging shot from the edge of the area was blocked by a Hibs man and, as Pars returned it into the area, there were huge screams for handball.

Referee Greg Aitken appeared uninterested but, moments later, dramatically pointed to the spot and allowed Higginbotham to step up and slot into the bottom left hand corner, despite Marciano getting a hand to it.

McGeouch then came close to almost instantly hitting back for the visitors with a terrific strike that narrowly ended over the top as the game began to open up.

The same player was then booked for a dive under Geggan’s challenge and sparked outrage from Lennon, but he was nearly celebrating moments later as McGinn sent a lovely guided header from Stevenson’s cross just wide.

Murdoch then had to look smart to stop an intricate chip shot from McGinn before Lennon sent James Keatings and Grant Holt into the fray as the clock ticked into the final quarter.

Rhys McCabe was then sent on in place of Herron, who went off after a heavy challenge, and no sooner was there a huge chance for the home team.

Quick-thinking from Higginbotham saw him play a short free-kick to McMullan on the left, who pulled it back for Moffat, but his shot was saved by Marciano before he gathered the loose ball despite confusion between two Hibs defenders.

As Hibee frustrations grew, their army of fans in the East Stand howled for a spot-kick as Ashcroft stood his ground while Cummings fell to the floor, but Aitken rightly awarded a goal kick to the hosts.

That was as close as they came however as the Pars held on for a deserved draw.

Pars: Murdoch, Geggan, Morris, Ashcroft, Talbot, Higginbotham, Herron (McCabe 80), Wedderburn, Higginbotham, Clark, Moffat.

Subs: Williamson, Martin, Paton, Cardle, McCabe, Reilly, Gill.

Goal: Higginbotham (58, pen).

Booked: Morris (23), Wedderburn (27).

Hibernian: Marciano, Hanlon, Bartley, McGinn, McGeouch, Stevenson, Boyle (Keatings 76), McGregor, Ambrose, Graham (Holt 78), Cummings.

Subs: Gray, Fyvie, Holt, McLean, Keatings, Martin, Laidlaw.

Goal: McGinn (12).

Booked: Graham (35), McGinn (38), McGeouch (66) Referee: Greg Aitken.

Attendance: 7,058.