Hibs 3-2 Falkirk

Aug 17 2008 Gavin Berry At Easter Road

RELIEVED Colin Nish erased the memory of a horror miss on the opening day by blasting Hibs to a much-needed victory. And he revealed how the win was inspired by a video nasty of their loss to Killie - minus his embarrassing moment that was too bad to show.

Nish didn't take long to redeem himself yesterday by bulging the net after just 23 seconds. His double and kid Paul Hanlon's first goal for the club were enough to see off Bairns who pushed them all the way with a Michael Higdon brace.

And Nish couldn't hide his delight as Hibees got off the mark. He said: "We needed that as a team and personally as well. It was great to score so early.

"As this was our first victory of the season there was relief. But I should have given us a win last week when I missed a chance so it was nice to get these goals.

"I worked a lot on my finishing last week. When things aren't going your way you work harder in training. Thankfully it paid off.

"We watched the video of the Kilmarnock game and I reckon the manager took my miss out. That was the only two minutes we didn't see!"

Nish's goal - Hibs' first in a competitive game for four months came so early that boss Mixu Paatelainen almost missed it.

The Finn said: "I only just sat down but I'm delighted.

"It's our first win and you should have seen the boys in the dressing-room - they were over the moon celebrating. It meant a lot to them.

"We could and should have scored more. To score so early relaxed everyone, especially with the situation we're in.

I was pleased for Colin as well to get off the mark so quickly."

If ever Hibs needed a good start it was yesterday and they couldn't have asked for more than inside the first minute.

John Rankin slipped the ball through to Nish inside the box and he drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

The second arrived midway through the first half and it was Nish again - with a little help from the Falkirk defence.

Hanlon's cross from the left was allowed to go all the way to the towering striker.

Nish was unmarked at the back post and had the simple task of heading into the net.

Bairns hadn't offered much but were thrown a lifeline when Higdon pulled one back on the half hour, getting in front of Rob Jones to direct his header past Andrew McNeil from Gerard Aafjes' cross.

Almost immediately they should have been dead and buried when Alan O'Brien sent Rankin clear but with only the keeper to beat he fired wide.

However, the third goal arrived just two minutes into the second half when Dean Shiels crossed for Hanlon to head in from close range.

John Hughes' Bairns didn't give up and hit back again when Jackie McNamara sent Higdon clear and the big hitman steadied himself before lashing beyond McNeil.

The excellent Steven Fletcher went close to adding a fourth for the home side three times. He had a shot saved by Robert Olejnik before an effort went just wide and a deft chip that hit the bar.

Falkirk could have snatched a last-gasp equaliser when sub Mark Stewart blasted a shot off the outside of a post - but it would have been more than they merited.

REF WATCH

WILLIE COLLUM had little asked of him and let the game flow nicely. Rating: 6/10.

HIBS

Shots on 6

Shots off 10

Fouls 2

Offside 13

Corners 0

Bookings 2

FALKIRK

Shots on 6

Shots off 6

Fouls 0

Offside 15

Corners 4

Bookings 1