Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Crossgates' players, officials and supporters must've left Memorial Park wondering how on earth they never took anything from this game but the answer to this would have to be simply down to great play from Macauley Jarrett and his defence. And when they didn't get in the way of netbound efforts their opponents couldn't hit the target.

The only goal of the game came in the 8th minute, an absolute belter from Keir Allan who was on the edge of the big box when he connected with the ball.

Sean Cunningham and Andy McCallion came close to extending this lead but Alexander Gilchrist saved well on both occasions.

A great tackle from Cunningham on Blair Paterson prevented the Crossgates man from getting his shot away and then shortly before half-time Ian Shanks cleared Craig Henderson's shot off the line.

Early in the second-half it could be argued that the Hibs played their 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card when their corner-kick was instantly smashed clear into their own half. Scott Hynd looked odds on to lift the ball over the advancing Jarrett but, under pressure from Shanks, the Primrose man lobbed the ball just wide of its intended target.

Jarrett came to Thornton's rescue with a great save to deny Henderson then bettered that effort with a magnificent flying save to prevent Hynd's superbly struck free-kick from hitting the back of the net.

Late in the game another terrific block by Cunningham denied Hynd again who by now must've been thinking that it just wasn't his day.

Sunnydale Executive Travel/ Station Hotel Hibs Man of the Match: Lewis Rodger

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Rodger, McMillan, Shanks, Cunningham, Adam, Black, Allan, McCallion, Hain, Soutar. Subs: Coleman, Jolicoeur, McNab, Keatings.

Crossgates Primrose: Gilchrist, Murray, Smith, Murphy, Bernard, Henderson, Hynd, Kinnaird, Paterson, McAteer, Ramsay. Subs: Reid, McKenzie, Easton, Anderson, Brown.

Referee: Mr C.Sanderson

Attendance: 76

Statto's Corner:
* Macaulay Jarrett kept his second consecutive clean sheet for his fourth in 12 appearances for the Hibs.
* Thornton have now won the last three competitive fixtures between the sides and maintain Craig Gilbert's excellent record against the men from Humbug Park; P12, W8, D2, L2, GF25, GA15.
* The 1-0 scoreline was the 25th time this has happened under Craig Gilbert's tenure of 565 games. The winning margin of one goal (87 times) now overtakes a draw (86) as the most frequent scoreline under Gilbert.
* Whilst it was the first league meeting between the sides since May 2013, Crossgates are the one of the teams that we have played most frequently in league games since we turned Junior in 1935. This was our 83rd meeting and they sit only behind Lochore Welfare - 133, St Andrews United - 131, Lochgelly Albert - 130, Dundonald Bluebell - 125 and Newburgh (West End) - 113.