Livingston suffered their fourth league defeat on the bounce as goals from Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle saw Hibs claim all three points at Easter Road.

The Lions started well, creating the first chance of the game on five minutes. A well-worked free-kick found Andrew Shinnie on the right, who picked out Bruce Anderson just inside the box. The striker swivelled and tried his luck, but shot just wide of the post.

Hibs had their first real opportunity on 11 minutes as Martin Boyle caught out Jack Fitzwater as he took his time on the ball. The winger nicked it off the defender and drove forward, but slipped as he tried to finish.

Nisbet’s through ball was latched on to by Boyle again as the former Dundee man raced into the box looking to beat Fitzwater. The Lions’ number five stood firm though, making a good tackle before James Scott was denied by another defensive block.

The first half was a rather dull affair, but Livingston would have been happy going into the break level after Hibs had dominated the majority of the game.

Half Time: Hibernian 0-0 Livingston

Livingston were forced into a few changes either side of the break, with Bruce Anderson and Jack Fitzwater having to be withdrawn through illness – Jack Hamilton and Sean Kelly came on.

Just six minutes after the restart, Hibs took the lead through hitman Kevin Nisbet. After a long ball forward, the Scotland international wriggled past Kelly and drilled a low effort across goal into the far corner to give the hosts their first of the afternoon.

The Lions couldn’t get out their own half as Hibs kept possession, trying to create another opportunity to get that all-important two-goal cushion.

Jake Doyle-Hayes had a strike blocked at the edge of the box after he was teed up by Kyle Magennis but the pressure Jack Ross’ side were putting on Livi would pay off.

With a couple of minutes left to play, The Hibees eventually got their second. Boyle found Scott Allan on the right who wonderfully returned the ball with a back-heel. The winger left Penrice for dead and cleverly dinked over the onrushing Stryjek to put the result beyond doubt.

The result kept Hibs in top spot, and left The Lions rock bottom with no points from their opening four matches.

Match Report: Calum Brown

Hibernian: Macey, McGinn, Porteous, McGregor, Doig, Doyle-Hayes, Magennis, Boyle, Murphy (Allan 45), Scott (MacKay 90), Nisbet (Wright 68)
Subs not used: Dabrowski, Stevenson, Gogic, Campbell
Goals: Nisbet (51), Boyle (89)

Livingston: Stryjek, Devlin, Obileye, Fitzwater (Kelly 49), Penrice, Holt, Shinnie ▊, Sibbald (Jacobs 59), Bailey, Forrest, Anderson (Hamilton 45)
Subs not used: Barden, Longridge, Lewis, Panayiotou
Goals:

Referee: Steven McLean
HT: 0-0
Att:

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