Second-half goals from Ian Murray and Craig James sent resilient Hibs on their way to a hard fought victory over a wasteful Livingston at Almondvale.

It was a comfortable enough win for the visitors in the end but the struggling home side, now without a league win in six, have only themselves to blame for their latest defeat.

Before Murray set the visitors on their way with a 55th-minute volley, Livingston missed several clear-cut chances to open the scoring and in the end, despite a late counter by Philippe Brinquin, they paid the price for their profligacy.

In a frenetic start to the game it was Livingston who had the first attempt on goal after only two minutes, but Barry Wilson's speculative shot from 25 yards was easily gathered by Hibs keeper Nick Colgan.

Hibs came back to look the more likely side in the early stages but in the 21st minute the home side should have taken the lead when Wilson's cross from the right was spilled by Colgan.

Rolando Zarate was handily placed but his shot from 12 yards was deflected by the Hibs keepers' leg for a corner.

For the visitors, Tam McManus' flick then volley from 10 yards was comfortably saved by Livvy keeper Javier-Sanchez Broto.

There was little between the sides in a hard fought game but as the first half drew to a close Livingston began to turn the screw.

In the 37th minute Wilson passed up a great chance to give the home side the lead when he blasted a close range shot at Colgan when it seemed easier to score.

Five minutes later Wilson beat the Hibs offside trap and was left with a one-on-one with Colgan but the Hibs keeper dived to his right to block the Livvy striker's low drive from 16 yards and another chance was missed.

After the interval the West Lothian side came out determined to start converting their chances into goals with the help of Cherif Toure-Maman who had replaced the struggling Francisco Quino.

But it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play in the 55th minute.

As Hibs pressed for almost the first time in the second half, the unmarked Ian Murray picked up a flick from Craig James inside the box and from 16 yards thundered a tremendous left-footed volley past Broto and high into the net.

It was a quality goal which the game so desperately needed and it sparked the home side into an even greater effort.

But on the hour mark, Livingston spurned yet another good opportunity, this time David Bingham shooting into the arms of Colgan from 14 yards out when a goal looked likely.

The Easter Road men were playing with more confidence and cohesion now and gaps began to open up in the Livingston defence, with the razor sharp McManus looking dangerous.

And there was no surprise when the Easter Road men added a second in 66 minutes. A McManus shot from close range was blocked on the line by Michael Hart and the ball fell invitingly to Craig James who hammered the ball high into the net from around six yards out.

Livingston looked dispirited but to their credit they kept battling to get themselves back into the game.

But Hibs were in control now and there was never any danger that they would surrender their lead although they were glad to see Zarate's 81st minute shot from 16 yards strike the outside of the post and go behind.

With the last kick of the ball Brinquin pulled a goal back for the home side but it was too little too late.

Teams

Livingston: Broto, Brinquin, Hart, Andrews, Bollan, Quino (Toure-Maman 46), Makel, O'Brien, Wilson, Zarate, Bingham (Xausa 76).

Subs Not Used: McEwan, Camacho, Rubio.

Goals: Brinquin 90.

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Zambernardi, Fenwick, Orman, Wiss, O'Neil, Murray, James, McManus (Reid 81), Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Caig, Brebner, Townsley, Jack.

Booked: Paatelainen.

Goals: Murray 55, James 66.

Att: 6,501