Owen Elding marked his full Hibernian debut with a goal as David Gray’s side bounced back from their Edinburgh derby disappointment with a comfortable 2-0 victory over St Mirren.
Striker Elding, who arrived on a permanent deal from Sligo Rovers last month, glanced in a first-half header before fellow January recruit Ante Suto added another after the break.
It was an encouraging if not spectacular display from the hosts as they put the pain of Tuesday’s late 1-0 defeat to Hearts behind them.
The victory moves Hibs to within two points of fourth-placed Motherwell in the Premiership, albeit the Steelmen have two games in hand.
St Mirren, who have now only mustered one victory in their last 10 league outings, remain three points clear of 11th-placed Kilmarnock.
The hosts made a lively start with Miguel Chaiwa heading straight at Shamal George from a Jack Iredale cross before the Hibs midfielder then fired a low left-footed drive at the Buddies goalkeeper.
Hibs continued to look more threatening and they should have at least tested George with another promising opening in the 23rd minute.
A Warren O’Hora delivery across the six-yard box was mishit by Dane Scarlett before Rocky Bushiri then made a mess of an acrobatic attempt from close range and the visitors cleared.
St Mirren offered little in attack and would have been happy to see out the opening half with the game goalless.
But the home side broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a well taken header from Elding.
The 19-year-old got on the end of Dan Barlaser’s menacing cross and used the pace of the ball to glance his effort into the far corner.
That goal changed Buddies manager Stephen Robinson’s half-time thinking and he brought on Roland Idowu and Mikael Mandron at the break.
But it was Hibs who should have doubled their advantage in the 50th minute with another great chance.
Nicky Cadden stood up a cross to the back post and Felix Passlack slammed a volley off the post. The angle was against the German but Hibs boss David Gray would have at least expected the right-back to hit the target.
St Mirren came close to making Hibs pay for that wasted chance after being gifted an opening of their own.
Chaiwa carelessly gave possession away just outside his box as Hibs tried to play out and Mandron raced towards the box before rifling a rising shot that goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger did brilliantly to tip over on the stretch.
The cushion of a second goal did come, however, for Hibs in the 66th minute from Suto, just two minutes after the striker replaced Scarlett.
Cadden skinned Conor McMenamin at the byline and his driven low cross into the area was palmed straight to Suto by George and the January arrival prodded home from just yards out.
The Leith side saw the game out with minimum fuss to bolster their European aspirations.
