Scottish Championship: Hibernian win nine-goal thriller at Dumbarton

Dominique Malonga scored a hat-trick as Hibernian claimed a thrilling 6-3 win at Dumbarton in the Scottish Championship.

The 25-year-old striker was the hero for Hibs after helping Congo qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in midweek, but Dumbarton also played their part in a breathless encounter at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium.

Both sides had spurned chances in a frantic opening before the visitors took the lead when Scott Allan (23) drove the ball into the bottom corner. 

Malonga (26) only recently returned from a long haul flight, but showed no signs of tiredness, lashing in a second from close range, and a manic seven-minute spell continued as Paul Hanlon (30) swept in a third from Allan's pass.

The Sons surely received some harsh words at the break and they quickly pulled one back when Christopher Kane (50) drove the ball past Mark Oxley. 

Andy Graham (60) further reduced the deficit with a well placed header, but the fightback was dealt a blow when Malonga (64) made it 4-2 with a fierce drive from outside the area.

Dumbarton refused to lie down, hitting back again through Garry Fleming's (70) precise shot to set-up an exciting finale.

But Samuel Stanton (83) lashed past Daniel Rodgers to ease Hibernian's nerves and Malonga completed his treble after good work from Jason Cummings.