Motherwell supporters will not be looking forward to their next tilt at Hibernian with any particular pleasure, as for the second time this season they had to watch their side being taken apart by Hibernian. The Fir Park side have enjoyed some great results on the road, but in the second half in particular today they were simply unable to make any impression on a rock-solid home defence - and in the end they can perhaps feel fortunate to come away with just a two goal defeat.

A goal in each half from Anthony Stokes was enough to claim victory for Hibernian in their final home game before Christmas, the home side dominated from the start and will if anything regret that the margin was not greater. With goalkeeper Graham Stack failing a late fitness test Yves Ma-Kalambay was given the nod to face Jim Gannon's side. That enforced change was the only one made to the line-up that had started against Falkirk and was looking to stretch their unbeaten run to ten league games.

Hibernian where resplendent in their popular all-white change shirt and got the game underway - and put the Motherwell defence under early pressure when Wotherspoon's inviting cross was just beyond Colin Nish at the front post. The Easter Road men had made a positive start with Reynolds twice having to produce last gasp blocks to prevent Stokes and then Nish from going clean through. It was not all one-way traffic however and Murray had to slide the ball clear to prevent Murphy from getting away a strike at goal from close range, that coming before Ma-Kalambay was forced to punch clear a well directed corner at his front post.

On 9 minutes Riordan had two efforts in goal in a matter of seconds, his first charged down by Hammell whilst Ruddy had to smoother his second. Having been largely anonymous in the opening period Merouane Zemmama burst to life after 17 minutes when he started a move that led to Stokes firing just over from 20 yards, then the little Moroccan had an effort himself that was just too high.

Moments later Hibernian carved out the best opportunity of the game so far when Wotherspoon's cross from the right was perfect for Stokes to volley towards goal, however the striker failed to catch the ball right and the chance was gone. Hibernian kept up their pressure on the visitor's defence and from Riordan's corner kick, Nish headed just over with Ruddy rooted to the spot. Then a moment of magic from Zemmama had the Motherwell defence all twisted out of shape which created space for Rankin to pick his spot, the midfielder's effort appeared to be heading towards the top left hand corner before the goalkeeper produced a truly stunning save to keep him out.

From the resulting corner Hateley cleared from the goal-line from Bamba's powerful header before Ruddy produced his second stunning save in as many minutes to prevent Riordan scoring with a lob from just outside of the penalty area. On 32 minutes referee Iain Brines was forced to reach for his pocket for the first time to caution Hammell for pulling back Riordan as the Hibernian striker broke free.

When Hibernian were in possession Motherwell would get everyone bar Sutton behind the ball to make life difficult for the Easter Road men, yet despite this John Hughes' side continued to create chances with Hammell having to block Riordan's curling effort to keep the teams level. From the corner kick Nish headed over but a goal had only been delayed a matter of seconds for the Easter Road men.

The move started when Zemmama fed the ball wide to Riordan who lifted it over the heads of the retreating Motherwell defence to Stokes, the striker held off and then turned away from Reynolds before slotting the ball beyond Ruddy for his fifth goal of the season with a clinical finish. There may have been a hint of offside, but in the event it was a brilliant piece of timing from the Hibernian striker and equally fine judgement by the nearside assistant referee - both were shown to be spot-on when the video evidence was analysed.

Hibernian had worked incredibly hard to get their noses in front but Motherwell were almost immediately level when Ma-Kalambay had to produce a stunning point blank save to keep out a powerful headed from Jutkiewicz. In time added on at the end of the first half Rankin fired wide from 25 yards after good link-up play from Nish.

John Hughes will have been delighted with his team's first half showing as Hibernian went into the break deserving of the lead. It perhaps should have been greater, with Motherwell also looking dangerous on the break, but nonetheless it was a good showing from the home side and the Hibernian manager will have been asking his players for more of the same in the second half.

Half Time: Hibernian 1 Motherwell 0

Jim Gannon made two changes during the interval with O'Brien and Sutton replacing Forbes and Sutton. First half goal scorer Stokes had the opening opportunity of the second period when he cut inside Moutaouakil but his effort lacked the pace to beat Ruddy as the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

A terrific run from Lasley created space for Coke who was unlucky not to beat Ma-Kalambay at his near post, the goalkeeper taking two attempts to get the powerful strike under control. The expected second half onslaught from the visitors however was not materialising, and they had to take it on the chin again when Hibernian doubled their advantage. On 55 minutes there was again fine build-up play from Zemmama and Wotherspoon that created a shooting opportunity for Stokes. His effort took a big deflection to wrong foot goalkeeper Ruddy and spin into the back of the Motherwell net.

Hibernian were now firmly in command and four minutes later Riordan stung the fingers of goalkeeper Ruddy with a fierce drive after Nish had robbed Saunders of possession. Not long after Riordan stole possession in midfield before setting Zemmama off and running at the away defence, the Moroccan twisting one way then the other before firing across goal and wide from 16 yards. Motherwell were now finding it difficult to get out of their own half as the Hibs passing was accurate, rapid and incisive, leaving the visitors chasing shadows.

There was some concern on the Motherwell bench when Hateley went down under a challenge from Nish that left him requiring lengthy treatment, but the youngster was soon back and involved in the thick of the action once more. On 66 minutes there was a moment of controversy when Murphy went down inside the Hibernian penalty area after a challenge from Bamba, referee Brines was in no doubt that the Motherwell man had gone to ground looking to gain an advantage and promptly produced a yellow card.

Riordan and Hateley were both shown a yellow card by referee Brines for an off the ball clash that appeared to be nothing more than a heated argument. A quickly taken free kick from O'Brien for Murphy almost caught the home defence napping but crucially goalkeeper Ma-Kalambay spotted the danger and raced out to gather and prevent the visitors pulling a soft goal back. Anthony Stokes was enjoying one of his best afternoon's in a Hibernian shirt and he almost made it 3-0 on 75 minutes with a rasping right-foot drive that was pushed away by Ruddy for a corner. The Irish striker went close again from the set piece when he glanced Riordan's delivery onto the crossbar with Ruddy beaten.

Scotland star Riordan limped from the field to be replaced by Galbraith on 79 minutes, with this season's top goal scorer departing to a well earned standing ovation from the home supporter. The substitute was immediately involved with a tempting low cross into the middle that was just too far in front of Nish for what would have been a simple tap-in. Nish and Stokes linked-up well on the edge of the Motherwell penalty area as the game entered the final 10 minutes but Moutaouakil appeared to have cleared the danger, only to inadvertently knock the ball beyond his own goalkeeper before slicing his clearance wide for a Hibernian corner kick.

Having worked his socks off all afternoon for his side, the tiring Zemmama was replaced by Kurtis Byrne on 84 minutes and he, like Riordan, was given a rousing reception from the Easter Road stands as he departed. Motherwell should have pulled a goal back in the 89th minute when Coke made it to the goal-line before cutting the ball back to Jutkiewicz for what appeared a simple tap in however the striker struck his standing leg and the ball cannoned away to safety.

Seconds later Nish left the field to a well earned round of applause when he was replaced by Cregg as the match entered the first of three additional minutes. Deep into time added on Ma-Kalambay had to dive full length to push away a Moutaouakil cut back as Hibernian claimed a well deserved three points. The win extends the clubs unbeaten run to ten games and keeps them level with Rangers just behind Celtic at the top of the league table.

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

Motherwell: Ruddy Moutaouakil, Hammell, Reynolds, Coke, Jutkiewicz, Sutton, Murphy, Hateley, Forbes, Saunders. Subs: Fraser, Craigan, Lasley, O'Brien, Archdeacon, Page, McHugh.

Report: Richard Payne