GRETNA 0 HIBS 1 STEVEN FLETCHER got Hibs back to winning ways then claimed they're on track again to split the Old Firm. His second-half strike sunk stuffy Gretna to end a three-game winless streak and move Hibs level with Rangers in second spot, although the Ibrox men have a game in hand. Two surprise defeats and a derby draw with Hearts had seen the Hibees take just one point from nine, denting their hopes of challenging the Old Firm. But Fletcher reckons this win marks the end of a difficult spell. He said: "We can split the Old Firm - we've the drive to do it. "Our aim is to finish as high in the SPL as possible. We won't settle for third, we want to be up challenging Rangers and Celtic. "It has been tough with hard fixtures in a short time but we've dug deep and got through it." Hibs came flying out the traps and almost grabbed a third-minute lead through flying winger Filipe Morais. The Portuguese Under-21 star cut inside to unleash a vicious shot from the left that had keeper Greg Fleming scrambling to turn the ball out. Hibs skipper Rob Jones flashed a header wide from the corner before sloppy defending by Gretna almost handed Hibees a 10th-minute lead. Danny Grainger's headed backpass was way too short and Mickael Antoine Curier pounced just inside the box - but Fleming made a brave block at his feet. Morais should have done better with the rebound, blasting well over a gaping goal while Curier nursed a knock he'd picked up in the original shot. The striker did not last much longer, hobbling off in 14 minutes to make way for Clayton Donaldson. Guilleme Beuzelin was unlucky to get a booking for a mistimed tackle on Paul Murray. But his fortunes didn't improve as he became Hibs' next injury victim. The French playmaker pulled up in mid stride, seemingly with a hamstring strain, and made way for Ross Chisholm in 26 minutes. It was a frustrating first half for a Hibees side that dominated without looking like scoring. Grainger then Chris Innes were booked trying to tame lively Hibs frontman Donaldson before the Edinburgh men's best chance of the opening half. Jones rose in the box to meet Morais' corner but his thundering header slammed against the bar. Still, the fact their biggest goal threat came from a strapping centre half was an indictment of the capital club usually renowned for their attacking flair. They piled on more pressure in the second half with Morais, Chisholm and Brian Kerr all threatening from long range before the winner in 52 minutes. Donaldson danced into the box and his blocked shot broke out right. Lewis Stevenson kept the ball in play and cut it back into the path of Fletcher rushing in. His first-time effort was pure striker's instinct, sweeping a shot home from a tight angle for his seventh goal of the season. Gretna shuffled their pack with David Graham on in 61 minutes for Brendan McGill. It gave the Borderers a boost as they entered the final half hour. They almost drew level just after Donaldson copped a booking for a foul on Grainger. James Grady and Fabian Yantorno teed-up Gavin Skelton but his powerful snapshot from 18 yards flashed just wide. The scare was enough to jolt John Collins into his last change, Alan O'Brien for Morais. The sub's first touch was a cutback for Kerr sneaking into space on the six-yard line and he forced a great save from Fleming. Gretna threw on Steven Hogg for Paul Murray with 10 minutes left but promptly copped a booking for a shameful dive in the box. Grady's contribution was more constructive, hooking an effort just wide in the dying minutes. Had they started as positively Gretna might well have taken something from this game. MATCH STATS SHOTS ON 5 SHOTS OFF 6 OFFSIDE 4 FOULS 12 CORNERS 1 BOOKINGS 3 SHOTS ON 7 SHOTS OFF 9 OFFSIDE 1 FOULS 15 CORNERS 12 BOOKINGS 3 REF WATCH EDDIE SMITH wasn't shy with his cards and setting the tone with soft early bookings could have led to farce in a more competitive match. Fortunately, no reds were needed in a clean game - but that's more down to good luck than the ref's handling of the players. Rating: 5/10. | 
SPL 
