By Hibernian FC

A bitterly disappointing afternoon for us had started perfectly when Demetri Mitchell put us ahead just moments into his home debut with a terrific close-range finish.

We then survived a scare when Livingston were immediately awarded a penalty kick before the decision was reversed. Our lead would not last long though as Ayo Obileye soon headed in a leveller.

A Chris Cadden cross caught out Max Stryjek on 32 minutes to restore our advantage only for Jack Fitzwater to level shortly after the interval.

Alan Forrest’s wonderful finish completed the comeback and won the match for his side.

Shaun Maloney made four changes to the side held in midweek by Motherwell with Ryan Porteous returning following suspension and midweek substitutes Mitchell, Ewan Henderson and Christian Doidge all starting.

The opening moments of the match would prove to be dramatic. We nearly went ahead inside the opening three minutes when Doidge’s header came back off the post following a wonderful Henderson cross.

Livi managed to scramble the loose ball behind for a corner kick and from the set piece we opened the scoring. Stryjek could only punch Henderson’s floated delivery out to Cadden on the edge of the box and from his cross Mitchell ghosted in at the back post to score.

It was a dream start and had been exactly what we wanted coming into the match, yet almost immediately from the restart, Livingston were awarded a penalty kick after Odin Bailey and Matt Macey contested a through-ball.

Referee Grant Irvine, having awarded the spot kick, then took advice from his assistant and reversed his decision, thankfully.

It would prove to be only a brief let off for us as Livingston restored parity on 17 minutes when Macey came to collect a free kick floated into the box and Obileye got there first to head an equaliser into the empty net.

The early momentum we had had now shifted in Livingston’s favour but we appeared to have a good claim for a penalty kick when Mitchell was bundled over in the box. He certainly thought it was a foul, however referee Irvine disagreed and waved play on.

Moments later we lost Paul McGinn to injury and he was replaced by Rocky Bushiri.

Then, almost out of nothing, we restored our lead when Cadden’s floated cross from the right sailed over the head of Stryjek and dropped into the net at the far post.

A competitive and end-to-end first period came to an end with Bailey going close once again for the visitors when he curled a free kick just wide of Macey’s near post.

We were worthy of our half-time advantage yet a dreadful start to the second half from our perspective saw Livingston turn the game on its head.

David Martindale’s side penned us back right from kick off and it took a fine save from Macey to keep out Forrest’s near post effort. From the resultant corner kick Livingston were level as Nouble’s flick on was headed in by Fitzwater from close range.

Livingston’s early pressure was relentless and Cadden twice cleared from the line as Bailey almost put his side ahead.

The visitors took the lead for the first time when Josh Campbell was disposed by Stephane Omeonga and from his through ball, Forrest clinically finished by curling an angled effort beyond Macey.

Desperate to get back into the game we brought on Chris Mueller, Jamie Murphy, James Scott and Josh Doig to try and influence proceedings.

With 15 minutes remaining we had a great chance to level when Kevin Nisbet showed terrific close control to carve out a shooting opportunity, only to strike the ball straight at Stryjek who blocked.

Moments later the Scotland international had another effort when a set piece dropped to him on the edge of the box. On this occasion, his first-time volley was over the crossbar, much to Livi’s relief.

We were creating plenty of chances to get back into the match and when Henderson delivered another excellent delivery, Bushiri headed just wide of goal.

The game was stretched and that appeared to suit Livi with former Hibee, Omeonga, outstanding in winning possession and starting counter attacks.

From one such break Jason Holt drew a save from Macey before we raced to the other end and Nisbet’s volley was kept out by Stryjek.

Four minutes of additional time came and went as we were unable to fashion out an equaliser as Livingston held on to take all three points.

Hibernian: Macey, Porteous, McGinn (Bushiri 22’), Doidge (Murphy 65’), Nisbet, Stevenson (Doig 72’), Mitchell (Scott 72’), Doyle-Hayes, Cadden, Campbell (Mueller 65‘), Henderson. Substitutes not used: Dabrowski Wright, Newell, Allan.

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Longridge (Montano 46’), Fitzwater, Obileye, Pittman (Shinnie 75’), Bailey, Forrest (Boyes 88’), Holt, Nouble (Anderson 75’), Omeonga. Substitutes not used: Maley, Lewis, McMillan, Chukwuemeka, Penrice.

Referee: Grant Irvine.

Attendance: 15,480.