Hibs took the three points after a comfortable victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this afternoon.
Head coach David Gray made two enforced changes to his starting line-up following the midweek victory over Aberdeen.
Goalscorer Junior Hoilett and Elie Youan took over from the injured duo Josh Campbell and Martin Boyle.
Kieron Bowie, who missed the game due to an illness, was listed amongst the substitutes.
Kilmarnock made three changes following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Dundee with Ben Brannan and Robbie Deas and Liam Polworth replacing James Brown, Greg Kiltie and Tom Lowery.
After an even start, Hibs took the lead in the fourth minute after Youan did well to win a corner on the left.
Dan Barlaser and Hoilett exchanged passes before the ball was crossed to Youan at the back post and he headed the ball into the net to the delight of the travelling supporters at the other end.
A Barlaser free-kick then traveled all the way to the far post but Killie goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi managed to push the ball wide for a corner.
At this stage it was all Hibs mounting attack after attack and even full back Kanayo Megwa tried his luck from distance but his effort was easily saved.
In a rare attack from the hosts Ben Brannan’s corner was headed over at the near post by midfielder Brad Lyons.
Youan created a great chance but there was no-one available to convert his low cross.
In the 33rd minute Megwa was replaced by Chris Cadden.
Youan should have doubled Hibs lead moments later after being set up by Jamie McGrath but his effort few just wide of the post.
At the other end an under-hit back pass from Jack Iredale was hastily cleared for a corner.
Killie ended the first-half on top and won a series of corners and free-kicks but the Hibs defence held firm.
In added time Youan was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Brannan.
Jack Thomson replaced Kilmarnock captain Brad Lyons for the second half.
Youan passed up a great chance to double Hibs lead when he found himself one on one with the keeper but once again fired wide. It looked as though he may have been offside but the flag did not go up.
In the 51st minute Zach Mitchell and Jordan Obita replaced Iredale and Hoilett.
Moments later Kilmarnock equalised against the run of play with a scrappy close-range effort.
Dominic Thompson’s cross nicked off the head of Grant Hanley and John-Jules managed to off both Hanley and Mitchell before forcing the ball past goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
That goal seemed to galvanize the home side and it took a great header from Warren O’Hora to clear a dangerous cross.
Dominic Thompson made way new Killie left-back Michael Schjonning-Larsen, who made his debut after joining on New Year’s Day from Estonian club Levadia Tallinn.
A great run by Josh Mulligan from his own box ended with a trip by Robbie Deas who was correctly booked.
Oluwayemi produced a world-class save to deny Barlaser from the resultant free-kick.
Moments later Hibs took the lead for the second time. McGrath drove forward from midfield and fired a powerful strike which Oluwayemi parried into the path of Youan who slid the ball into the net from close range before celebrating in front of the visiting fans.
That was Youan’s last contribution. before being replaced by Rudi Molotnikov. At the same time Bowie came on for Thibaut Klidje.
With 10-minutes remaining Dave Watson was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Barlaser.
Sub Marcus Dackers was shown a yellow card for kicking Mulligan in the face at a free-kick as the home side looked to get back on equal terms.
With one minute remaining Sallinger fired a long ball forward which McGrath managed to reach first.
He ran into the box before being brought down by Jack Thomson. and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and booking the defender.
McGrath took responsibility and sent the keeper the wrong way to wrap things up.
And that was the end of the scoring.
Kilmarnock: Oluwayemi, Brannan, Mayo, Brown, Deas, Thompson, Lyons, Watson, Polworth, Anderson, John-Jules.
Substitutes: Beach, Williams, Dackers, Stanger, Toffoney, Thomson, Schjonning-Larsen, Watkins Leslie.
Hibernian: Sallinger, O’Hora, Hanley, Iredale Mulligan, Barlaser, Hoilett, Megwa, McGrath, Youan Klidje.
Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Alasana, Bowie, Newell, C Cadden, Obita, Mitchell, Molotnikov.
