Hibernian cemented their place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League top six with a 2-0 win over Inverness courtesy of early strikes from Colin Nish and Steven Fletcher.

January recruit Nish set the hosts on their way when he coolly placed the ball past Michael Fraser after just three minutes.

Fletcher then notched his 14th goal of the season after Hibs brilliantly carved open the Inverness rearguard in a move involving Guillaume Beuzelin, Merouane Zemmama and Nish.

It was visitors Inverness that were first to register an attempt on goal after just 60 seconds.

The ball fell kindly for Graham Bayne after a long punt up the field and his volley from the edge of the box was pushed round the post.

However, the hosts took full control of the match with the opening goal just seconds later.

Zemmama broke free on a surging run from midfield and found Nish, who beat the offside trap, and the towering marksman slid the ball beyond Fraser.

Hibs added to their lead two minutes later with a fast-flowing move that ripped Inverness apart.

Beuzelin, Zemmama and Nish were involved in the initial build-up before Beuzelin squared the ball for Fletcher to stroke home the second from 16 yards.

The hosts did not have it all their own way, however, and Yves Ma-Kalambay was called on to palm away a long-range Russell Duncan shot.

Dean Shiels was causing problems against the Highlanders with his license to roam just off the strikers.

The Northern Ireland international was keen to get in on the act but his shot slammed into the side netting in the 27th minute from John Rankin's corner.

Inverness finally managed to settle from their costly start to the match and Ma-Kalambay was called into action again to keep the visitors at bay.

Ian Black fed Don Cowie on the edge of the box and the midfielder turned well before unleashing a venomous strike that was well saved by the Belgian.

Fletcher and Zemmama then combined to great affect to set Shiels free but the midfielder's poor attempt at goal was saved by Fraser.

Inverness began the second period desperate to claw themselves back into the game and referee Kenny Clark awarded the visitors a free-kick 25 yards from goal after Graham Bayne was fouled.

From the short set-piece, however, Marius Niculae's shot was deflected well wide.

The underfoot conditions worsened as the game went on and it was no coincidence the quality of football also suffered.

Hibs survived a goalmouth scramble in the 56th minute after Niculae wriggled clear of two men on the line to cause havoc.

The bumpy surface also caused problems for Hibs goalkeeper Ma-Kalambay, who needed two attempts to collect a tame Niculae shot that bounced his way.

Niculae had the Hibs rearguard in a panic again in the 64th minute after getting past Chris Hogg to create room for a shot that slid just past the far post.

Hibs substitute Filip Morais was then denied in the 66th minute shortly after his introduction when Phil McGuire dived in to block his shot.

Ma-Kalambay pulled off a great save in the 72nd minute to spare John Rankin's blushes.

The former Inverness midfielder's attempted clearance of Niculae's shot was sliced goalwards but the keeper adjusted his position to turn the ball round for a corner.

Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen introduced the more defence-minded Ian Murray in place of Shiels as the hosts looked to close the game out.

Inverness then had shouts for a penalty turned down by referee Clark, even though Rob Jones appeared to push substitute Markus Paatelainen - the Hibs manager's younger brother - in the back.

Teams:

Hibernian Ma-Kalambay, Gathuessi, Hogg, Jones, Zarabi (Hanlon 85), Shiels (Murray 75), Beuzelin, Rankin, Zemmama (Morais 65), Nish, Fletcher.

Subs Not Used: McNeil, Kerr, Chisholm, Canning.

Booked: Beuzelin.

Goals: Nish 3, Fletcher 5.

Inverness CT Fraser, Tokely, Munro, McGuire, Hastings, Cowie, Black, Duncan (Paatelainen 72), Imrie, Bayne, Niculae.

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, McBain, McAllister, Wyness, Kerr, Vigurs.

Att: 12,552

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).