Hibs old failings returned to haunt them once again as Falkirk stunned the home side by escaping Easter Road with all three points in a match where Alan Stubbs side created opportunities but failed to hit the target.
A lapse in concentration gave the Bairns, who’d started well, the only goal of the game in just 13 minutes when Loy back heeled home after some poor defending from a corner.
From then on it was a procession of missed chances from Hibs with Paul Heffernan and Farid El Alagui the chief culprits.
The former placed a header wide from a fine Booth cross when it looked easier to score prior to El Alagui, who’s started his Easter Road career so well, firing into the side netting without testing McDonald in the Falkirk goal.
Heffernan then missed the best chance of the game up to that moment for the Hibees when El Alagui fed him clean through on goal but his finish was awful and his effort was straight at McDonald.
Scott Allen, making his full debut for the club was next to test the ‘keeper when his fizzing 25 yarder was turned round the post by the former Hearts stopper.
The second half saw more of the same with Falkirk happy to surrender possession and hit on the counter attack but again Hibs failed to make their pressure or chances count.
El Alagui missed a fine chance to level when clean through and although he may have been distracted by an offside flag which was overruled his attempted lob was poor from the centre of goal and easily saved.
Hibs had two late chances, first when Allan played an excellent through ball into El Alagui’s path but an extra touch saw McDonald narrow the angle and his shot smothered.
With the match into injury time substitute Cummings, on for the less than impressive Heffernan, found space on the Hibs right but his powerful effort flew over the bar.
All in all it’s now three defeats out of four under Stubbs and despite keeping the ball well his side have to be far more clinical if they have any hope at all of mounting a Championship challenge never mind contending a play off position.
Player Ratings
Mark Oxley 6
Not a lot to do for the on loan keeper
David Gray 6
Grew frustrated as the game wore on but never gave up.
Michael Nelson 6
Never done much wrong
Jordan Forster 7
Kept encouraging the players on and marshalled backline well with Nelson
Callum Booth 7
Offered far more than Stevenson at full back. Combined well with Kennedy.
Alex Harris 6
Some beautiful touches, getting back to form without a doubt.
Liam Craig 5
Disappointing from the captain. Too many sideways passes and shirking responsibility.
Scott Allan 7
Looks a fine acquisition on this display. Determined and creative.
Matthew Kennedy 8
Shades it from Allan. Good display showing all his tricks.
Paul Heffernan 5
Missed two great chances and offered little else.
Farid El Alagui 5
Like Heffernan missed gilt edged chances and needs to improve on this standard.
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