Hibee history: Gordon's goal tonic

More than 17,000 spectators passed a unanimous vote of censure on East Fife at Easter Road when the Bayview team was booed off the field after the poorest spectacle of the season at the ground.

They weren't complaining about the Fifers' defence-in-depth tactics, it was the blatant time-wasting, the tough tackling and the provocation of Alex Edwards right from the outset. All at a time when the call throughout the country was for brighter football.

East Fife benefited financially from Hibs' rise to the top of the league because the attendance was above average and the visitors would collect a cheque in the region of 2,500. They could not expect such a generous share in the future, since fans would be reluctant to watch them.

It would have been easier to understand East Fife's approach had they been in dire trouble and battling to exist in the First Division. But Pat Quinn, a footballing artist himself not so long ago, had done a great job at Methil and put together a top half of the table team that should not have been afraid to come out and play openly. Obviously, East Fife didn't want to risk a hiding and decided that defence was the best policy. Their line of eight defenders strung across the penalty ensured Hibs had no room. It was Hibs' job to break the barrier, as it would be on many other occasions.

It became a nasty affair that was often too much for such an inexperienced referee as Mr Syme, who could have been a lot firmer. Tackles got out of hand and the gamesmanship increased; it really wasn't a spectacle at all.

It's never a good thing for the game generally when defensive strategy is successful, no matter how well drilled a team may be in the art, so there was justice when Alan Gordon headed the only goal with seconds of regulation time left.

Indeed, it was the second time this season that Gordon had licked the Fifers with the only goal of the game.

As predicted, it was a difficult game for Hibs but also their costliest two points of the championship. Apart from Brownlie's leg break, Edwards received his fourth caution at the same time as Love, Duncan and Borthwick, of East Fife, were booked. However, Hibs, after this result, were clear leaders in the title race.