Yeates spot on but Malin makes vital intervention

Hibs were rampant in the first period, opening up a 2-0 lead mid-way through the half courtesy of a driven shot from Adam Edwards and an Andy Yeates penalty.

Rostance pulled one back with a superb first-time shot into the top corner from Ashley Southall but Hibs re-established their two-goal cushion just before half-time with another penalty from Yeates.

A second Southall goal, this time from a free-kick, brought it back to 3-2.

Hibs should have scored a fourth when Ryan Macbeth raced clear, only for him to see his lob drift wide of the post and the hosts were grateful for a point-blank save from Luke Malin to preserve their three points.

Player-coach Rich Kay was delighted with the win, but said the late stop from Malin highlighted an age-old problem for his side.

“The game should have been dead and buried at half-time such was our dominance,” said Kay.

“With a strong wind at their backs in the second-half Rostance gave us a nervy final 20 minutes, but we defended well as a team to restrict them to very little.

“We’re on an excellent run in the league and it’s just about continuing to win games.

“We dug in second half and that is just as pleasing to see as the free-flowing football we played first half.

“The message at training this week will be to kill teams off and to be more ruthless when we are so dominant.”