Hibernian 2-0 Motherwell

Scott Brown and Abdessalam Benjelloun fired in second half goals to give Hibs a third win over Motherwell this term.

An appalling first half passed without incident and, after the break, Hibs goalkeeper Andrew McNeil made a great block to thwart Kevin McBride.

On 66 minutes Scott Brown was set up by Ivan Sproule to strike from 14 yards.

And, with the game in injury time, more good work from speedy winger Sproule allowed Benjelloun to stroke in a neat finish via the post.

Hibernian were looking to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at Inverness last week and manager John Collins made three changes to his starting XI.

Out went defender Chris Hogg and strikers Ross Campbell and Benjelloun, to be replaced by Shelton Martis, Ivan Sproule and Lewis Stevenson.

The visitors had not played in three weeks due to bad weather.

David Clarkson was suspended, his place taken by Marc Fitzpatrick who dropped back to midfield, allowing Steven McGarry to link up with Scott McDonald in attack.

Trevor Molloy dropped to the bench with Darren Smith taking his place.

The home team forced three corners in the opening minutes but failed to trouble Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

The Fir Park side had lost nine goals to Hibs in their last two encounters and began in cagey style, flooding the midfield and in no hurry to get forward.

However, Hibs made life difficult for themselves with their play littered with errant passes.

The home fans were given a fright when keeper McNeil failed to deal with Martyn Corrigan's deep cross to the back post but Richie Foran's header across goal floated past harmlessly.

Hibs striker Steven Fletcher's acrobatic overhead attempt from 20 yards provided some much-needed excitement, even if Motherwell's Graeme Smith saved comfortably.

Benjelloun and Guillaume Beuzelin were introduced by Hibs at the interval, while Molloy was given his chance for the visitors.

Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson blazed a long range shot over the crossbar after Stephen Craigan had gifted his opponent the ball.

Motherwell created a great opening but Foran failed to make good contact with Scott McDonald's cut-back and McNeil then made an impressive blocking save to deny McBride, on for Marc Fitzpatrick.

That let-off spurred Hibs on and Sproule picked up a Thomson pass to sprint down the left flank and roll the ball across to Brown to stab home.

Fletcher should have doubled the lead after good work from Benjelloun but the teenage striker ballooned his shot over the bar from 10 yards out.

But Benjelloun made the points safe for Hibs when he coolly slotted in a shot from close range after another blistering run from Sproule.