Scannell had already shown glimpses of his trickery when he seized on Novak’s clever pass and darted between centre-backs David Stephens and James McPake before curling a low right footer past Williams from just inside the penalty area.

Scannell was off target with a volleyed effort from Paul Dixon’s 25th-minute cross, and rather than being three to the good, Town were only one up after Griffiths beat Alex Smithies with a firm low shot from Wotherspoon’s cross in the 28th.

The home team were now playing some neat stuff.

But even so, Scannell still managed to fire against the face of the bar and over while there was little to really trouble Smithies, whose was replaced by former Hibs keeper Nick Colgan for the second half.

Hunt, Lynch and Scannell were the only Town men to stay on, and with Hibs also making changes, it took a while for the second half to heat up.

Alan Lee headed wide from Oliver Norwood’s cross before former Bristol City player Sproule, hovering on the right, made the most of Griffiths’ pass, cutting inside before unleashing a powerful shot into the opposite to corner.

Town finished the stronger, and Robinson had an effort held by Williams and Danny Ward a low shot blocked before Antony Kay headed narrowly over from Norwood’s corner.