A Christian Doidge and Stevie Mallan-inspired display handed Hibs a League Cup semi-final spot, coming from behind to beat Alloa 2-1.
Peter Grant’s side headed into half-time with a shock lead as Paul Hanlon deflected one into his own net, Doidge putting the visitors on level terms after 60 minutes. Doidge again was the man to connect with a Mallan cross, this time his header coming off Nicky Jamieson before hitting the net.
The Wasps had claimed one Edinburgh scalp in Hearts during the last 16 of this competition and looked to take another in the last eight. But given the many differences between these two, Hibs were overwhelming favourites.
One blow Jack Ross’ side had been hit with pre-match was the miss of marksman Kevin Nisbet, who was rested as a precaution with a muscle injury. That didn’t stop the Hibees having a barrage of first-half chances.
Hanlon went close before Doidge headed over 25 minutes in, Jamie Gullan and Hanlon again up for chances. The best of Hibs’ chances fell to young striker Gullan, who rounded Alloa keeper Neil Parry but was unable to put the ball home.
Overall though, Grant’s men had successfully frustrated Ross’ – and they soon landed a sucker punch after absorbing plenty of pressure. Alloa broke up the park, Kevin Cawley’s run into the box then shot deflecting off Hanlon and past Ofir Marciano.
It handed Grant a 1-0 lead and put the part-time side on the cusp of greatness. Hibs dominated possession again in the second half but unlike the first, chances weren’t as free-flowing.
Only one had to count and that it did, substitute Mallan’s corner into the box causing havoc, Doidge hitting the ball high into the net. It was a sense of relief for Ross and his team pressed on from this.
A header passed by Doidge shortly after his 61st minute leveller before Martin Boyle’s brilliant pass across the face of goal wasn’t tapped into an empty net. The Welsh scorer then blazed over two minutes later.
Mallan had made such an impact from the bench and again his cross created a goal, this time his chipped pass found Doidge directly, Jamieson the unfortunate man which the ball decided to ricocheted off.
With that going in nine minutes from time, it proved too little time for Alloa to mount a comeback of their own as Hibs made their way into the last four after a tough League Cup quarter-final. Here are three things we learned.
Wonderful Wasps
The part-time side did themselves no harm whatsoever in this tie. For large periods they frustrated Hibs and managed to keep them at bay, even leading the game for a period.
Eventually Hibs overpowered them but how they competed with Premiership opposition should give Grant plenty of encouragement for the Championship campaign.
Doidge delivers
The Welshman had gone through a spell without hitting the net, his effort against Motherwell 10 days ago a first since September. Then he scored on Saturday against Hamilton and another was added here, playing a big part in the winner too.
Doidge did miss more than a few chances in this one, but he always managed to get himself into the right areas. Signs are there that the Welshman is getting back to his best goalscoring form. A big part in his efforts though were the deliveries of Mallan, which shouldn’t go uncredited.
Digging deep
Ross’ men had their backs to the wall as the second half rolled on. They didn’t seem to have a way of getting past Alloa’s sturdy backline, but eventually their quality shone through in the end.
They didn’t let frustrations get the better of them and introducing Mallan from the bench just about got them into another Hampden date.
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