Hibernian proved too strong for a poor Motherwell side in a comfortable 4-0 SPL victory at Easter Road.

After going in at the break two goals up, the home side were never in danger of being pegged back and played out the second half in almost total control adding a couple of late goals from youngster Gary O'Connor.

The visitors for their part were very unconvincing and could hardly have filled manager Eric Black with much hope for next season.

There was a low-key start to the game and the first corner did not arrive until the 11th minute - and it came to nothing.

The first attempt on goal came three minutes later when Hibs defender Alen Orman broke forward and drove a 25-yard shot just over the Motherwell crossbar.

Then, in the 28th minute, the home side took the lead with a goal out of the blue.

Former Motherwell man Derek Townsley created some space for himself 25 yards from goal and curled a lovely left foot shot just inside the far post.

It was the 36th minute before the visitors managed a shot on goal but Steven Hammell's right foot shot was blocked - then his left foot attempt went high over the bar.

And as Motherwell came more into the game Adams came closer to an angled shot which drifted just wide of the Hibs goal.

Then just before half time, moments after Hibs keeper Tony Caig had pulled off a good save from David Ferrere, the home side doubled their lead.

There seemed little danger when the ball arrived in the Motherwell box but after a mix-up between Hammell and keeper Francois Dubourdeau, Frenchman Freddy Arpinon was on hand to stab home from close range.

The second half began with some excitement when, with only seconds gone, Scottish international striker O'Connor had a long-range snapshot saved by Dubourdeau.

Motherwell needed some quick inspiration if they were to have any chance of taking something from the game but it was Hibs who nearly added a third barely two minutes after the restart.

Brewster unleashed a powerful drive which Dubourdeau tipped onto the post and past for a corner.

As the second half wore on it looked unlikely that the Fir Park men, despite their increased work rate, were going to make any impact on the game and it was a confident Hibs who continued to look dangerous on the break.

There was no real surprise when O'Connor latched onto a through pass in the 81st minute and slid the ball under Dubourdeau from just inside the box.

Moments later the youngster scored his second from a similar position after more poor defensive work from the visitors.

Teams

Hibernian Caig, Orman, Smith, Caldwell, Hilland (Alan Dempsie 66), Townsley (Reid 73), Wiss, O'Neil, Arpinon (Nicol 78), O'Connor, Brewster.

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Fenwick.

Booked: Hilland.

Goals: Townsley 27, Arpinon 45, O'Connor 81, 85.

Motherwell Dubourdeau, Ready (Bernhard 76), Deloumeaux, Strong, Corrigan, Pearson, Ferrere, Elliott (Fagan 85), Hammell, Adams, McFadden.

Subs Not Used: Woods, Martinez, Ramsey.

Booked: Corrigan, McFadden.

Att: 7,701

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).