Franck Dja Djedje scored one and Dominique Malonga netted two, meaning the hosts returned to second place in the SPFL Championship. The defeat means Ian Murray’s side have picked up just one point out of a possible 21 since the turn of the year.

With Alloa defeating Cowdenbeath 2-0, Dumbarton are now just five points ahead of both of those teams who are level on points, Cowden occupy the relegation play-off spot due to their inferior goal difference.

It is a significant turnaround for Sons who had the opportunity to stretch the lead over their rivals to 11 points in their last home game against the Blue Brazil, but with both teams now breathing down Dumbarton’s neck Sons need to arrest their poor form quickly.

The Sons boss handed Mark Wilson his first start for the club, replacing captain Andy Graham who missed out as his wife went into labour on Saturday, Hibs started strongly, and it is the way the game would go on as Dumbarton only managed one attempt on target throughout the match. Malonga nearly put the home side in front after four minutes, but he touched Lewis Stevenson’s cross wide. Danny Handling then stung the gloves of Danny Rogers, with a powerful shot from the edge of the area being held by the Sons keeper. Handling had another chance shortly after, this time heading a cross wide. The Edinburgh side continued to attack down the right hand side, and that’s how they would get the breakthrough. Keith Watson’s attacking run resulted in a cross for Dja Djedje who capitalised on some hesitant Dumbarton defending, to turn on the ball and lash it into the bottom corner of the net. The lead would be doubled just two minutes later. The move came from the same side, with Malonga heading the ball past Rogers and into the top corner. Fraser Fyvie teed up Malonga soon after, but with just Rogers to beat, he curled wide. Fyvie could have added his name to the scoresheet just before half-time, but Rogers managed to beat away his shot. The first half ended without Dumbarton registering a shot on goal, and Sons fans could have no complaints about the score line, perhaps being fortunate to only be two behind. The second half started and it followed the pattern of the first, as the Hibees were in control of possession and were looking to add to their lead. The goal that killed the game off arrived on the 57th minute, as Malonga strolled through the stationery Sons defence and thumped the ball past Rogers, albeit with the aid of a deflection. After the hour mark, Dumbarton finally mustered a shot on goal. Scott Linton cut in from the left, but his shot trundled out of play.

Garry Fleming then had his header easily saved by Mark Oxley. Scott Agnew kept the defict at three when he cleared a bullet header off the line as the game fizzled out.

Hibs could have scored more in a game they dominated from start to finish, as Sons wait for their first win in 2015 goes on. Up next for Dumbarton is play-off chasing Queen of the South at the Rock, as James Fowler’s men aim to bag all three points.