Hibernian Under-18s maintained their unbeaten start to the season by progressing in the Scottish Youth Cup at the expense of Dunfermline Athletic Under-18s.

After Adam Buckley cancelled out Kyle Davidson's opener, the match went straight to penalties, with Hibs scoring all four of their penalties but Ryan Mallon saving from Freddie Rowe and Mark Beveridge to seal passage to the next round for the visitors. 

On a cold, blustery, and occasionally damp night at the Rosyth Training Centre Hibs found it hard going against their lower-league opponents who were well-drilled and resolute at the back. In a tactical tweak, Rory Whittaker started in defensive midfield alongside Zach Bruce, with Buckley taking up the right-back role with Joe McGrath, Lewis Gillie, and Owen Calder completing the back four. Josh McDonald supported lone striker Dean Cleland with Jamie McMurdo and Luke Davidson providing support from the flanks. Ben Vickery returned to the substitutes' bench fresh from Victory Shield duty with Scotland under-16s.

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But for all Hibs were knocking the ball about well, Lewis Briggs wasn't ever seriously called into action, making a couple of routine saves from corners around the half-hour mark while the offside flag also came to the young Pars' rescue on two or three occasions. At the other end, Beveridge stung Mallon's palms with a fierce effort and had a free-kick saved, while Mallon denied Jay Snoddy from another set-piece. 

The hosts started the second half strongly and got their noses in front five minutes into the second period. A free kick clumsily given away on the left flank was flighted in by Beveridge and Davidson found the net with a powerful header at the back post. 

Kyle Davidson, partially hidden, scores for DunfermlineKyle Davidson, partially hidden, scores for Dunfermline (Image: Maurice Dougan) Going behind seemed to spark a reaction from Hibs and Darren McGregor made two personnel changes on the hour mark, introducing Logan Jimenez for Davidson, and Cole Shankland for Whittaker. This allowed Buckley to move into his familiar midfield role with Shankland taking up right-back duties and Jimenez taking up Davidson's place on the left flank. 

Hibs continued to push for an equaliser - Cleland embarked on a mazy run from wide left, drifting inside before arcing an effort just over the crossbar while Hibs peppered the box with deliveries from crosses and free-kicks but found Briggs or a Dunfermline defender in the way.

The visitors had a couple of penalty shouts waved away by referee Kenny Brown, and nearly went further behind on 74 minutes when Rowe was left all alone from a set-piece but couldn't direct his effort on target.

Gillie made way for Jay Gallacher with 15 minutes remaining, which resulted in another system shift as Calder moved to left-sided centre-back and Jimenez went to left-back. Kasper Kitchin was introduced in place of McDonald five minutes later and his height added an extra threat from set-pieces - and with nine minutes remaining Hibs hauled themselves level with a deserved equaliser.
Adam Buckley, far left, scores Hibs' equaliser against DunfermlineAdam Buckley, far left, scores Hibs' equaliser against Dunfermline (Image: Maurice Dougan)

The Pars failed to clear McMurdo's corner from the right and amid a classic goalmouth stramash, Buckley managed to divert the ball over Briggs, who got a hand to it but couldn't prevent it from going in. 

Hibs pushed for a winner in regulation time with the Fifers tiring, and were denied a late free kick in dangerous territory when Kitchin was clearly tugged back when through on goal. But with the game ending one apiece, penalties were needed to decide the winner.

Dunfermline went first in the shoot-out, Davidson comfortably beating Mallon, with 15-year-old Gallacher scoring Hibs' first low to the right. Mallon then dived to his left to foil Rowe, with Kitchen tucking his effort just under Briggs in the bottom left corner. Daniel Bell found the net with his effort, with McMurdo matching it with a well-taken finish high to the centre of the goal. Substitute Lucas Fyfe then sent Mallon the wrong way, and Shankland, another 15-year-old, finished low to the left with a powerful spot-kick. Beveridge then stepped up, needing to score to keep the Pars in the shoot-out but saw his low attempt saved by Mallon onto the post to spark wild celebrations from the Hibs players. 

Dunfermline: Briggs; Adamson (Gillan 90), McHale, Evans, Proudfoot; Gordon (Bell 81), Snoddy (Marwick 81), Rowe, Davidson, Beveridge, Middleton (Fyfe 70).
Subs not used: Margetts, Jobson.
Scorer: Davidson (50)

Hibernian: Mallon; Buckley, McGrath, Gillie (Gallacher 75), Calder; Whittaker (Jimenez 60), Bruce; McMurdo, McDonald (Kitchin 80), Davidson (Shankland 60); Cleland.
Subs not used: Vickery, Burns.
Scorer: Buckley (81)