Hibernian's long unbeaten run came to end this afternoon with a home defeat against Rangers. Anthony Stokes had given the home side a dream start when he netted in just 12 seconds - but after dominating the opening 20 minutes the visitors equalised, and from there on in Hibernian struggled to cope with the in-form league leaders.

John Hughes was forced into one change from the side that defeated Aberdeen last weekend at Pittodrie, although it was not the one expected for most of the week. Sol Bamba was released from international duty for the game, but out went equally influential defender Ian Murray who was replaced by Paul Hanlon - making his first start since September's Co-Operative Insurance Cup defeat by St Johnstone.

Hibernian got the action underway in this the 270th league meeting between the teams and the first touch Rangers had of the ball was to pick it out of their own net. Straight from kick off Hibernian raced forward, with Zemmama leaving a trail of blue shirts in his wake before slipping the ball to Anthony Stokes on the right of the area - the striker delivered a clinical finish when he lashed it beyond McGregor and in off the far post to give his side a dream start after just 12 seconds.

Rangers were stunned by the loss of such an early goal and the home side kept up the early pressure when they won a free kick on the edge of the area, however Riordan's effort from the set piece struck the defensive wall. The visitors eventually settled and on 7 minutes they created their first opportunity when Broadfoot put over a cross from the right that was headed wide by Miller. Hibernian had the chance to double their lead when a Stokes cross from the left picked out Zemmama arriving late into the area, but the little Moroccan's first-time volley was well off target.

Less than sixty seconds later and Rangers were very nearly level when a Novo near-post shot was parried into the middle of his goalmouth by Ma-Kalambay, and only brave defending kept out Kenny Miller. The former Hibernian striker took a knock for his troubles and required lengthy treatment before he could continue. Merouane Zemmama was clearly in the mood early on and his flashes of individual brilliance were a constant thorn in the side of Walter Smith's men. Despite this however Rangers levelled against the run of play - Boyd slipped the ball into the path of strike partner Kenny Miller and he produced a fine low right foot finish from 20 yards that curled just beyond the grasp of the diving Ma-Kalambay.

Ma-Kalambay then had to redeem a situation of his own creation when his poor kick out was headed by Davis into the path of the unmarked Miller on the left, his first time cross appeared to be just perfect for Boyd to head into the net but the Hibernian goalkeeper used every inch of his huge frame to just touch the ball away from the Rangers striker.

On 34 minutes Wotherspoon's delivery from the right flank was perfect for Stokes to glance towards goal, but for once the normally clinical striker failed to make the right connection. Two minutes later and Rangers had taken the lead when Riordan was caught in possession on the edge of his own penalty area by Bougherra, the defender's low near post cross was despatched high into the Hibernian net by Kris Boyd leaving Ma-Kalambay no chance

The visitors were on top as the game headed towards the half time interval, in the first of three additional minutes Hanlon was forced to bravely block a powerful drive from Lafferty as Rangers looked to extend their advantage. At the interval John Hughes would have been relieved to have a chance to rally his troops who after a blistering start had fallen out of the match somewhat and were being dominated by the Glaswegian opponents.

Half Time: Hibernian 1 Rangers 2

Neither side made any changes for the start of the second half with Rangers getting the action underway once more. A poor challenge from Bougherra on Zemmama resulted in a Hibernian free kick on the edge of the visitor's penalty area in the opening minutes, but a poor execution saw that opportunity wasted.

It was to prove costly as Rangers increased their advantage when on 52 minutes Nacho Novo delivered a cute finish to beat Ma-Kalambay at his near post. The goalkeeper appeared to anticipate a cross ball to Boyd - in the event he was left stranded with his near post unprotected, something Novo was very quick to exploit. The loss of a goal so early into the second half came as a hammer blow to Hibernian's hopes and for a period thereafter the home side looked deflated.

The Rangers pressure continued however and they increased their advantage further when Boyd once more slipped the ball to Kenny Miller and he used his pace to break away from Hogg before delivering a left foot finish that found the far corner of the net. Ma-Kalambay had got a hand to the ball but could only slow its progress.

Hibernian made a double substitution on 69 minutes when Zemmama and Riordan were withdrawn to allow McCormack and Galbraith to take their place. Rangers also made a change when Edu replaced Lafferty not long after. Walter Smith's men continued to push forward in search of more goals but Hibernian continued to play with three up front in an attempt to reduce the deficit. To that end the Hibernian manager sent in Benjelloun for Nish for the final 15 minutes.

The Hibernian substitute was immediately involved when McGregor had to be at his best to keep out a rasping drive from 25 yards. One former Easter Road favourite replaced another on 79 minutes when Steven Whittaker came on for Kenny Miller. Allan McGregor was once more called into action to deal with a squiggler from Rankin, but the Rangers goalkeeper dealt with the effort comfortably. The sponsors' man of the match, Sol Bamba, tainted a fine individual performance when he talked his way into referee Brines' notebook for dissent.

As the clock ticked down towards full time Ma-Kalambay had to be alert to race from his goal and save bravely at the feet of Whittaker and prevent his side from falling further behind. In the end an afternoon that had started out so brightly ended in a bitterly disappointing defeat for Hibernian, who will now look to put this performance behind them as quickly as possible when they face St Johnstone this midweek.

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

Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, McCulloch, Davis, Boyd, Novo, Miller, Broadfoot, Bougherra, Lafferty. Subs: Alexander, Edu, Whittaker, Smith, Fleck, Little, Wilson.

Report: Richard Payne