David Bingham's career at Livingston ended with a whimper rather than a bang following defeat at the hands of Hibernian in the Bank of Scotland SPL.

The striker was handed the captain's armband for the last home game of the season, which gave 'Bingo' the opportunity to says his final farewell to the home support before leaving in the summer after five years at the club.

During that time, he played his part in two promotion wins, as well as the third place finish in the SPL last season which gave Livingston their first ever taste of European football.

But a Scott Brown double dampened the occasion for Bingham as the Almondvale side finished the game empty-handed, despite a late Fernando Pasquinelli goal.

With little more to play for other than pride, Livingston and Hibernian could have been forgiven for serving up a dull display, expected of such meaningless, end of season fixtures.

Instead, both teams set about putting their opponents under pressure right from the outset and Livingston could have been ahead within three minutes of the game kicking off.

The ball fell at the feet of Lee Makel on the edge of the 18-yard box and he had a great chance to test goalkeeper Daniel Andersson but he miskicked the shot and Julian Maidana's rebound effort fell just over the crossbar.

Pasquinelli was in impressive form for the home side in the first half and he did well to take the ball past Paul Fenwick before trying his luck with a shot at goal - but the goalkeeper managed to block with his legs.

He then produced an impressive overhead kick, from Juanjo Camacho's free-kick, only to watch in disappointment as the cheeky effort fell wide of the post.

Pasquinelli had already displayed his pace and skill to take the ball past Fenwick and he did the same with Mathias Jack before firing into the path of the onrushing Barry Wilson - but he could not meet the pass just a few yards in front of an empty goal.

Livingston had enjoyed the best of the chances in the opening spell but Hibs' young trio of Steven Whittaker, Scott Brown and Derek Riordan were looking dangerous for the Easter Road side.

The breakthrough eventually came after 37 minutes and it was no real surprise that Brown was the player to hand Hibs the lead.

David McNamee slipped and gifted possession to the young player, who took full advantage of the mistake to bullet past Alan Main.

Livingston were clearly desperate to claw themselves back into the game and they called Andersson into action just seconds after the restart.

Bingham flighted the ball into the path of Wilson but his header was weak and easily held by the goalkeeper.

Pasquinelli made Andersson work a bit harder a few seconds later when he cannoned a shot at goal only to be denied by an impressive save from the Hibs goalkeeper.

Livingston had a chance to draw level when they were handed a free-kick on the corner of the 18-yard area after 62 minutes. Bingham stepped up for the set-piece but he curled the shot just over the crossbar.

Midway through the second half the visitors extended their lead when Whittaker flicked the ball into the path of Brown and goalkeeper Main had no chance as he netted home his second goal of the game from close range.

Livingston manager Jim Leishman made a double substitution, replacing Wilson and Francisco Quino with Rolando Zarate and Richard Brittain.

Andersson had been in fine form for Hibs between the sticks and he prevented Maidana from setting up a nerve-wracking finish to the game for the Easter Road side, when he produced a one-handed save to block the effort.

But he was left helpless with five minutes remaining when Pasquinelli flicked the ball home from inside the six-yard box to pull a goal back for Livingston.

Teams

Livingston: Main, Brinquin, Camacho, Maidana, McNamee, Toure-Maman (O'Brien 52), Wilson (Brittain 73), Quino (Zarate 73), Makel, Pasquinelli, Bingham.

Subs Not Used: Emilio Lopez, Xausa.

Goals: Pasquinelli 87.

Hibernian: Andersson, Smith, Matyus, Fenwick, Brebner, Wiss, Jack, Whittaker, Thompson, Brown, Riordan (McManus 88).

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Nicol, Reid, O'Neil.

Booked: Brown, Fenwick.

Goals: Brown 38, 69.

Att: 5,423

Ref: I Fyfe (Scotland).