A deadly double from Derek Riordan was the difference between Hibernian and Falkirk this afternoon, allowing the Easter Road side to extend their unbeaten run to nine games and move level on points with second placed Rangers. A goal in each half from Riordan was enough to ensure a 2-0 victory against a plucky Falkirk side who will be sick of the sight of the Hibernian striker who also scored a double when the sides last met.

For the visit of his former club to Easter Road Hibernian manager John Hughes made three changes to his side. Out went McBride, Benjelloun and Stevenson to be replaced by Rankin, Nish and Zemmama - the latter having missed the previous two games through injury. The visitors had the first chance of the afternoon after Marceta was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Wotherspoon, Mitchell took the free kick but his curling effort was over the top from 25 yards.

On 5 minutes Hibernian created a chance of their own when Riordan's quickly taken free kick picked out Wotherspoon's run towards the back post, the full-back's first time volley was just over Olejnik's cross bar. In an exciting opening period both teams were spraying the passes around confidently and looking to attack at every opportunity. A long clearance from McLean appeared to have put Moutinho clean through on goal but Hogg's pace allowed the defender to get back and tackle before a strike could be made on goal. Seconds later Nish headed wide from Riordan's near post cross as the play swung from end-to-end.

Derek Riordan was next to threaten after cutting inside Allison but he found his effort, and the subsequent rebound, blocked by a sea of blue shirts as Falkirk got bodies back to defend. From the resulting throw-in Zemmama linked up with Nish, playing a neat one-two, but his right foot effort was straight at Olejnik who gathered comfortably. Hibernian were not having it all their own way as Lima fired wide from the edge of the penalty area following Marceta's cut back from a wide position. The Easter Road men were unfortunate not to take the lead when a rampaging run from Murray on the left created space in front of goal for Nish, the striker's first touch took him away from McLean but his strike took a deflection that sent it just off course.

Falkirk were forced into an early change when Marceta was replaced by MacDonald on 26 minutes. Three minutes later and Falkirk had the ball in the Hibernian net - but their celebrations were cut short as the ball had gone out of play before it was cut back to Moutinho. A goal was not long in coming however and it was a moment of sheer magic. Merouane Zemmama cut inside Mitchell on the right and his cross to the back post was struck first time on the volley by Derek Riordan before finding the far corner of the Falkirk net with the aid of a slight deflection. It was always going to take a moment of magic to break the deadlock and Riordan delivered that with his seventh strike of the season.

It was nearly 2-0 seconds after the restart when Riordan's cross was headed powerfully towards goal by Nish and goalkeeper Olejnik could not hold it, falling back he pushed the ball away from goal with the Hibernian players around him claiming the ball had cross the line. Referee Somers looked towards his main stand assistant who signalled the ball had not crossed the goal line and play continued.

As half time approached Falkirk had the chance to level when Mitchell played a free kick deep into the Hibernian penalty area, Barr's header towards goal was left by Stack who was a relieved man to see the ball end inches wide of his near post. That was the final piece of action in an excellent first half that saw both teams play some good football and they created plenty of chances to keep the supporters warm on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Half Time: Hibernian 1 Falkirk 0

There was surprise in the Hibernian line-up for the second half when goalkeeper Stack was replaced by Ma-Kalambay, the former having picked up a back injury. Hibernian got the action underway and it was not long before they were again knocking on the door of the Falkirk goal as Zemmama, Nish and Riordan linked well before the former's cross was knocked into the path of Miller, but the former Manchester United midfielder could only look on in frustration as McLean got just enough on the ball to divert it inches wide of goal.

Riordan then fired wide of goal from Stokes' low cross as Hibernian kept up their pressure at the beginning of the second half but Falkirk were always dangerous themselves and it took a couple of brave blocks from Murray to prevent shots at Ma-Kalambay's goal. On 56 minutes Moutinho robbed Bamba of possession and from 25 yards out he attempted to lob Ma-Kalambay at his far post, the goalkeeper managed to get his fingertips onto the ball to push it against his crossbar as Hibernian's lead remained a fragile one.

Falkirk substitute MacDonald picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon for a terrible challenge on Murray as the Hibernian full back had gone beyond him. Falkirk were putting the home side under a lot of pressure now and the game was largely being played in the Hibernian half, to counter this John Hughes made a double change on 68 minutes when he replaced Stokes and Zemmama with Benjelloun and McCormack.

Falkirk too made changes withdrawing Finnigan and replacing the striker with veteran Bullen. The substitute was immediately involved chasing down a lost cause but he was left red faced following a neat piece of footwork from goalkeeper Ma-Kalambay. Hibernian were rarely seen as an attacking threat as the game entered the final 20 minutes but they did have a chance to increase their lead when Bamba got his head to Riordan's corner, but could not direct it on target.

Not long after the home side had another chance from a free kick 25 yards from goal. Riordan took the kick but his effort struck the defensive wall and from the rebound Rankin fired well off target. Twaddle replaced the tiring Moutinho for the final 10 minutes as the Bairns continued to pour pressure on top of an already stretched home defence. Mitchell had a crack at goal from a free kick on the edge of the Hibernian penalty area but he was off target. With five minutes to goal Ma-Kalambay delayed collecting what seemed a routine ball towards him and that allowed Bullen to nick it beyond him. The ball ended wide of goal with Bullen crashing to the turf expecting a penalty - the referee gave a goal kick and the Falkirk substitute was eventually cautioned for his refusal to accept the official's decision.

With just two minutes remaining and the pressure on the home defence - albeit with very little coming the way of Ma-Kalambay - Hibernian broke up field and settled the destiny of three points. The goal was created by some superb work from David Wotherspoon who had moved into midfield, he picked out the unmarked Derek Riordan with an inch perfect pass and the striker was never going to miss - drilling the ball beyond a helpless Olejnik from 12 yards.

As the game entered four additional minutes Murray picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on MacDonald. Deep into time added on, Nish looked to have played Riordan in for his hat-trick but the striker snatched at his effort and Olejnik was able to gather without much fuss. In the end it was an excellent three points for John Hughes men. The Hibs boss will be delighted that even though his side did not play at their best, they still came away with the three points and have extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

Hibernian: Stack, Hogg, Murray, Bamba, Miller, Wotherspoon, Rankin, Zemmama, Stokes, Riordan, Nish. Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Cregg, Benjelloun, McCormack, Stevenson, Galbraith, Byrne.

Falkirk: Olejnik, Mitchell, Barr, McLean, Allison, Lima, Arfield, Finnigan, Flynn, Moutinho, Marceta. Subs: Wagenaar, MacDonald, Montero, Murdoch, Bloom, Bullen, Twaddle.

Report: Richard Payne