Late strike sends Hibs top to start 2017

A late strike by Kris Commons gave Hibernian a crucial 2-1 win over Falkirk to take the Easter Road side top of the Championship.

Craig Sibbald opened the scoring for the Bairns after 15 minutes but Hibees attacker Jason Cummings levelled two minutes later.

However, with three minutes remaining, Commons, on-loan from Celtic, scored with a free-kick which ultimately took Neil Lennon's side top of the table after overnight leaders Dundee United lost at Dumbarton later on Saturday.

Hibs' title aspirations will be boosted by the recruitment of former Motherwell attacker Chris Humphrey, who signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season, subject to the completion of registration

The 29-year-old joins from Preston North End. He said: I am pleased to be signing with Hibs.

I know the club well from my time at Motherwell - they're a big club and it will be great to play at Easter Road again.

The team are pushing hard for promotion this season and I'll hopefully be able to help us achieve that.'' Lennon was delighted the travelling Hibees fans got a New Year's bonus.

He told HibsTV: I am thrilled for the supporters who came in their thousands again.

At times It wasn't pretty, it was a battle and we had to deal with an aerial bombardment at times and again we showed great character to come from behind.''

Dundee United relinquished their lead after losing a goal to Mark Docherty, who had scored in August's 1-0 win over the Taysiders.

In the 27th minute of a match played in blustery conditions Docherty sent a speculative ball into the box and it somehow ended up behind Tannadice keeper Cammy Bell and in the net.

United manager Ray McKinnon told ArabZone that he was disappointed with the result but looked forward to the game against Hibs at Easter Road next Friday.

He said: The conditions were atrocious but I am not going to blame that. It is easy to blame the conditions.It was a freak goal and we haven't managed to claw that back so that was disappointing but I am going to be mindful that the boys have gone 13 games unbeaten for three months, we will get days like that, every team will, so we need to regroup and refocus for next week.

I am sure the game on Friday will lift everybody.'' An added-time equaliser from Ricki Lamie gave Morton a 1-1 draw against St Mirren in the Renfreshire derby. Gary McKenzie headed in the opener from a Stephen Mallan cross on the half-hour mark.

Morton were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Jamie McDonagh was shown the red card for violent conduct but deep into added time Lamie drove into the corner of the net for his first goal for the Greenock club. Elsewhere, Queen of the South and Ayr United played out a goalless draw at Palmerston Park.

The Doonhamers have now gone 13 games since their last league victory, while the Somerset Park side have not won in nine Championship outings.