Griffiths at the double for Hibs

Leigh Griffiths' double earned Hibernian a vital 3-2 SPL victory over Dunfermline in their bottom-of-the-table clash at East End Park.

Last Updated: 14/01/12 at 17:59

Griffiths: Two goals

Griffiths: Two goals

Andy Kirk opened the scoring for Dunfermline after 13 minutes but Griffiths levelled 12 minutes before half-time.

Substitute Garry O'Connor put Hibernian ahead after 75 minutes before Liam Buchanan levelled the match again with eight minutes remaining.

But the home side were dealt a devastating blow only a minute later when a rapid Hibs breakaway ended with Griffiths' shot slipping through the hands of Iain Turner.

Defeat left Dunfermline four points adrift of their opponents at the foot of the table.

Backed by an impressive travelling support Hibernian made a bright start and Iain Turner had an early first touch on his debut as he gathered Griffiths' long-range shot after 30 seconds.

Dunfermline's first opportunity of the match fell to Martin Hardie but his free-kick was a yard wide of the target.

The best chance of the opening 10 minutes fell to Hibernian full-back Callum Booth who linked well with Ivan Sproule before unleashing a stinging effort which Turner did well to turn behind for a corner.

Dunfermline grabbed the opening goal after 13 minutes, when Kirk nodded home from six yards out after an excellent delivery from Joe Cardle.

Hardie had another opportunity from a set-piece after 21 minutes but Mark Brown made an excellent low stop.

After a period of sustained pressure Hibernian levelled the match as Griffiths latched on to David Stephens' header and calmly slotted beyond Turner.

David Graham had an opportunity to restore Dunfermline's lead five minutes later but he blazed wide after Hibs had failed to deal with a Cardle corner.

Chances were limited in a frantic start to the second half. Gary Mason shot high over the bar for Dunfermline while Sproule's misplaced pass in a promising position prevented the visitors threatening Turner's goal.

Just before the hour mark Isaiah Osbourne forced an excellent diving stop from Turner and a minute later the former Scotland Under-21 stopper had to be alert to Griffiths' long-range drive.

The introduction of O'Connor after 60 minutes added an extra threat to the visitors' attack and Osbourne picked out Sproule who should have done better with his header at the back post.

Good work by Paul Willis led to Cardle forcing Brown into an excellent stop but the hosts fell behind only a minute later.

Griffiths laid the ball inside to O'Connor who fired the ball beyond the helpless Turner.

After falling behind the hosts upped the pressure on the Hibernian defence and only Booth's goal-line clearance prevented Hardie equalising.

With eight minutes remaining Dunfermline's pressure paid off as they levelled the game.

The Hibs defence failed to deal with Hardie's free-kick and Buchanan was on hand to blast the ball low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Following their deserved equaliser the hosts were dealt a devastating blow when a rapid Hibernian breakaway ended with Griffiths' shot slipping through Turner's grasp and into the net.

Dunfermline searched for their second equaliser of the match and were almost handed a gift when Brown failed to handle Cardle's shot but Stephens was on hand to save the keeper's blushes.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Sunday, 19 May 2013
12:45
Dundee Utd 0-4 Celtic  
Ross Co 1-0 Inverness  
St J'stone 2-0 Motherwell  
Saturday, 18 May 2013
15:00
Aberdeen 1-1 Hearts Report
Hibernian 1-0 Dundee Report
Kilmarnock 1-3 St Mirren Report
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
19:45
Kilmarnock 1-3 Hibernian  
Sunday, 12 May 2013
16:05
Motherwell 2-0 Ross Co Report
12:00
Hearts 1-2 Hibernian Report
Saturday, 11 May 2013
15:00
Dundee 2-3 Kilmarnock  

Clydesdale Bank Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Celtic 38 57 79
2 Motherwell 38 16 63
3 St J'stone 38 1 56
4 Inverness 38 4 54
5 Ross Co 38 -1 53
6 Dundee Utd 38 -11 47
7 Hibernian 38 -3 51
8 Aberdeen 38 -2 48
9 Kilmarnock 38 -1 45
10 Hearts 38 -9 44
11 St Mirren 38 -13 41
12 Dundee 38 -38 30

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

Footer 365

Coventry set take-over offer deadline

Coventry administrators set a deadline of May 31 for offers to take over the ailing club.

Michu eyes Swans improvement

Swansea forward Michu believes he will be even better next season if Michael Laudrup signs a top-class striker to play ahead of him.

Joey Barton hopes he can stay at Marseille rather than return to QPR

Joey Barton has reiterated his desire to stay at Marseille rather than return to Queens Park Rangers.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved