Hibernian 1 Queen’s Park 0

Paul Nuijten’s side competed well throughout the 90 minutes however the points stayed in the East as the young Spiders were unable to turn the chances they created into goals.

Queen’s started with a neat passing style with the first five minutes seeing several duels between Joseph Smith and highly rated Hibs youngster Ethan Laidlaw. Defender Smith got the better of the first two exchanges with finely timed tackles with Laidlaw getting the better of the third however his parting shot went well over.

On seven minutes Liam McLeish and Gregor Nicol combined to create an opening for Timam Scott with the wide-man eventually crowded out as he was away to shoot from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later Scott Williamson teed up McLeish some 25 yards out and the midfielder sent in a fierce drive that was blocked by a home defender.

With 14 minutes played Williamson poked a pass out wide for Scott and darted into the box for a return ball only for Scott’s cross to be cut-out as the Hibernian defence regrouped.

As the visitors continued to enjoy a spell on top McLeish tried a cheeky chip from 35 yards with Murray Johnson glad to see the midfielder’s effort clear his bar.

On 28 minutes Jacques Heraghty was just unable to prevent a deflected shot from Allan Delferriere going out for a corner that was crossed in for Kyle McClelland who headed wide.

Just after the half hour mark Queen’s had loud appeals for a penalty ignored when McLeish was sent crashing to the ground by a really high foot as he chased a bouncing ball.

Hibs almost took advantage of that reprieve immediately with a corner that was headed down to Josh O’Connor four yards out however Heraghty produced a stunning stop to keep his goal out.

The strong running of Kane Thomson from the centre of the Queen’s defence deep into enemy territory had been prominent throughout the first half and Hibs midfielder Dylan Tait decided to put a stop to Thomson’s progress on his latest foray just before the break with a crude challenge that earned him a booking.

The resultant free-kick was quickly taken and a shooting chance was created for Williamson by Lennon Connolly with Johnson having to move sharply to his right to save.

The Spiders were back on the attack early in the second half with Connolly cutting in off the left and firing just over from 20 yards.

Laidlaw showed frustration shortly afterwards as he swiped the feet from Nicol and earned himself a yellow card.

On the hour mark skipper Lewis Reid had a glimpse of goal 20 yards out with Johnson having to get down low to clutch his effort.

Ten minutes later Hibs substitute Rueben McAllister sent over a cross from the left that looked set to drop into the Queen’s net until Heraghty rushed to his left and touched over for a corner.

A goal almost came from the flag-kick albeit at the other end as the visitors cut out the danger and raced towards the Hibs goal.

Connolly slipped a pass to his right for Williamson who was pushed out wide by Johnson. Williamson retained his composure and chipped a pass back to Connolly at the back post however his header dropped an inch wide.

McAllister blazed a chance for Hibs over on 77 minutes and within a minute Williamson was picking the ball up 25 yards from the home goal and then seeing his shot just flash wide.

As both sides continued to try and break the deadlock the ball was played back to substitute Zach Mauchin who fizzed a shot over of Johnson’s bar with Laidlaw doing likewise at Heraghty’s goal.

With five minutes left it looked like Queen’s were onto a winner when a pass-back to Johnson looked set to reach Connolly however the striker was an inch away from making a connection when the ball was cleared.

As the game entered the final minute the experienced Darren McGregor won a joust in midfield and that allowed a pass to be slipped into Rudi Molotnikov and he fired into the far corner.

There was one injury time chance for an equaliser as everyone was thrown forward as Heraghty launched a free-kick from inside the Hibs half only for Johnson to race from his line and catch the ball.

Queen’s Park: Jacques Heraghty, Cameron Bruce, Calum Biggar, Scott Williamson, Gregor Nicol (Alex Fairlie 67), Kane Thomson, Lewis Reid, Liam McLeish, Lennon Connolly (Trialist 77), Timam Scott (Liam McQuaid 77), Joseph Smith (Zach Mauchin 67)

Subs not used: Liam Russell (G/k), Andrew Lind.

Hibernian: Murray Johnson, Jacob Blaney, Oscar MacIntyre (Jacob MacIntyre 46), Kyle McClelland, Darren McGregor, Dylan (Rueben McAllister 61) Tait, Josh McCulloch, Allan Delferriere (Owen Hastie 46), Josh O’Connor (Rudi Molonitkov 46), Malik Zaid, Ethan Laidlaw.

Subs not used: Owens Smith Samuels, Alfie Smith, Harry Wright, Adam Khan.