Neil Lennon took heart from Hibs team selection as Scottish Cup pitch invasion sparked by Dunfermline winner

Hibs head coach David Gray left the likes of first-teamers Grant Hanley, Dan Barlaser, Nicky Cadden and Martin Boyle on the bench for the trip to Fife - and while their replacements were the likes of internationalists Rocky Bushiri and Thibault Klidje, the visitors fell well short of their usual standards.

A competitive game looked to be heading towards extra time but Dunfermline sparked wild celebrations and a small pitch invasion when Kieran Ngywena’s header struck the unfortunate Miguel Chaiwa and crept over the line despite the best efforts of Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.

There was little time for Hibs to recover and the sizeable travelling support booed the players off the pitch after the Premiership side suffered an embarrassing defeat against the team sitting fifth in the Championship.

It was a proud day for Lennon, who managed Hibs for three largely successful years and was coming up against his former captain David Gray in the opposite dugout. He explained after the victory that he was given even more confidence when he saw who was left out of the starting XI.

“I think everyone had written us off, you know,” said Lennon, “and I got a wee bit of a lift when I saw their team. I thought they made a lot of changes. I thought ‘OK, this might work in our favour’. But then, you know, they did bring on some big players second half, but I thought my back three were immense and my goalie even called upon was very good, which you need in these games.

“I said to my coaches, I said half an hour ago, I think this is a 1-0 game, so it could go either way. And thankfully, you know, for us it went our way.

What Gray had to say on Hibs performance

Gray refuted any suggestions that his selection had weakened Hibs’ chances. “You can talk in hindsight now, but three full internationals, club captain [Joe Newell] coming into the XI ... I think my team is strong,” he said.

“I have tough decisions every single week and the 11 that goes on the pitch has got responsibility to play at a certain level because then the squad's then strong enough to come in off the back of it. So in terms of getting lifts, getting whatever, I think everyone looks at their own situation. Every player that gets the opportunity to play for this football club has got responsibility to play to the best of their ability.”

Gray did not try to sugar coat what was a bad day for Hibs. “I could try and explain and try and come up with reasons and talk about chances we missed and opportunities and decisions,” the head coach continued. “The reality of the situation is we're out of the cup and I can't stand here and say that we've done well enough to ensure that we're in the next round and I think that's very fair. Congratulations to Dunfermline.

“But from our point of view, everything I spoke about this week, everything we talk about in terms of expectation, we fell below the standards and we're out of the cup because of it.”

Hibs now also have an injury concern over key midfielder Josh Mulligan, who came off before half time with what looked like an ankle knock. “I think he's probably done something, just knowing Josh, with the type of boy he is,” added Gray. “It takes quite a lot for him to stay down and then to come off. So hopefully it's nothing too serious and it is just an impact, but it's far too early to say at this time. We obviously won't take any risks, we'll get it assessed as quick as we can.”

While Hibs were forced to lick their wounds, Dunfermline can now look forward to Sunday night’s fifth round draw. With the stadium close to a sell-out, Lennon said this was an example of where Dunfermline can get to.

“It shows the potential that the club has,” said Lennon. “But we're a million miles away from where we want to be just yet. But this is another incremental step in the right direction for us in terms of, gives the club more profile, gives the players more profile, gives everyone the profile and a little glimpse of what could be.

“But we've got to do the hard yards and get out of the Championship, which is the biggest ask of all.”