Cuthbert ends Hibs’ top flight stay

Scottish Premiership play-off final: Hibernian 0 Hamilton 2 (aggregate 2-2, Hamilton win 4-3 on penalties)

Hamilton ended Hibernian’s 15-year stay in the Scottish Premiership with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory at Easter Road.

Terry Butcher’s side blew a two goal lead before Kevin Thomson and Jason Cummings — the double goal hero from Wednesday night’s first clash at New Douglas Park — saw spot-kicks saved by Accies number one Kevin Cuthbert.

Veteran striker Jason Scotland had given the visitors a 12th-minute lead but, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Tony Andreu netted the equaliser to send the game into extra-time and ultimately penalties.

Thomson missed Hibs’ first effort before four perfect attempts from Accies put the pressure on Cummings. Cuthbert read the 18-year-old’s intentions though to spark wild celebrations as Alex Neil’s team sealed their return to the top flight three years after being relegated.

HIBERNIAN: Williams, Maybury, Nelson, McGivern, Stevenson, Robertson, Craig, Heffernan (Tudur Jones 83), Stanton, Cummings, Haynes (Harris 8), Harris (Thomson 68).

HAMILTON: Cuthbert, Gordon, Canning, Garcia Tena, Mackinnon, Longridge (Antoine-Curier 67), Routledge (Neil 81), Gillespie, Crawford (Ryan 81), Scotland, Andreu.