Falkirk 0-2 Hibernian

Hibs secured their first away win in the SPL since mid-November with a commanding display against Falkirk.

A 12th-minute own goal from Bairns defender Jack Ross handed the visitors a narrow interval lead.

Steven Fletcher went close to making it two just before half-time but he made amends by teeing up John Rankin to double the lead on 52 minutes.

Falkirk were out of sorts and Ian Murray almost made it 3-0 with a header which flashed just past the post.

Easter Road manager Mixu Paatelainen made three changes after Saturday's 2-0 home win over Inverness.

Captain Rob Jones was ruled out by injury and Abdel Zarabi and Guillaume Beuzelin dropped to the bench.

Martin Canning was making his debut while Murray and Paul Hanlon were drafted in.

The Bairns made two changes from the team that drew 0-0 at Dundee United.

Strike duo Pedro Moutinho and Billy Clarke were relegated to the bench as manager John Hughes went for a more cautious line-up, bringing in Russell Latapy and Stephen Bradley.

Hibernian almost went in front in the second minute, with the first attack of the game.

Dean Shiels rode a foul tackle to feed the ball to Colin Nish on the right, who quickly switched play to the left into the path of Rankin.

Rankin unleashed a swerving 30-yard drive which rattled back off the crossbar.

But the new-look Falkirk midfield soon came into the game.

After a stray ball ran through to Graham Barrett, only a superb penalty box tackle from Chris Hogg stopped the Irishman.

Hibs rose to the challenge and swiftly broke up the field to open the scoring after 12 minutes.

Shiels fed Nish on the right and his teasing cross was missed by Fletcher in the six-yard box, only forthe unfortunate Ross to knock the ball into his own net.

Buoyed by the goal, Nish and Merouane Zemmama tested Robert Olejnik with swift efforts as an entertaining contest unfolded.

Thomas Scobbie sought to get the hosts back on level terms but he curled an angled 18-yard effort over after Scott Arfield had fed him.

Falkirk's uncharacteristic poor passing was letting them down, with only a wild Gerald Aafjes shot to show for their efforts as the half wound to a close.

But it was Hibs who could have added a second when Zemmama robbed Kevin McBride and laid off to top scorer Fletcher, who turned inside before dragging a strike just wide.

But the Easter Road side didn't have to wait long to stretch their advantage.

Fletcher picked out Rankin just inside the Falkirk box after 52 minutes and he arrowed a left foot shot low past Olejnik.

However, Hibernian were soon forced into a goalkeeping change as Yves Ma-Kalambay gingerly walked off and Andrew McNeil took over.

Hughes also made a change, withdrawing a tiring Latapy for Moutinho.

But the visitors remained well on top and Murray came close to a third goal when he almost headed in Zemmama's corner at the back post.

Elsewhere, Hearts were Gubbed 4 - 0 at home by Rangers!!