Bottom-side Partick saw their hopes of avoiding relegation take a huge blow when they slumped to defeat against Hibernian despite a fightback at Easter Road.

The home side took a first-half lead through Garry O'Connor and Stephen Dobbie but those goals were cancelled out by James Grady and Adrian Madaschi in the second half.

Thistle looked like they could go on to snatch all three points but Steven Whittaker netted late on to ensure the win for Hibs.

The two sides had come into the game having experienced two very different endings to 2003.

The Easter Road side slumped to a humiliating 6-0 defeat at the hands of Celtic in a game which also saw youngster Derek Riordan red-carded.

In contrast, Partick management team Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte celebrated being handed the jobs on a full-time basis by watching their players romp to a 4-1 win over Dunfermline - only their second league victory of the campaign.

But Hibs boss Bobby Williamson clearly told his squad they had no option but to start the New Year with three points and right from the outset they looked the stronger side.

The Easter Road side did not have to wait too long for the opener. O'Connor managed to shrug off two Partick defenders before bursting into the box and firing home past goalkeeper Kenny Arthur after just eight minutes.

Hibs claimed for a penalty when Kevin Thomson went down in the area under pressure from Madaschi but referee Ian Brines signalled for play to continue.

Instead, it was Dobbie who found the back of the net again for Hibs when he met Scott Brown's pass before bulleting home past a helpless Arthur 10 minutes before the interval.

Partick gave themselves a lifeline when they pulled a goal back after 53 minutes. Derek Fleming's cross was met by Grady who fired past goalkeeper Daniel Andersson from just outside the six-yard box.

Partick were desperately unlucky not to draw level when they were handed a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. Fleming stepped up for the set-piece and hit the shot well enough but he was denied by a superb Andersson save.

The Firhill side were denied again when Grady found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat, and looked certain to find the back of the net, only to see his shot blocked by Andersson. Seconds later, he had another effort cleared off the line.

Partick were back in the game again when they drew level after 77 minutes. Fleming flighted his corner into a crowded box and it was Madaschi who managed to bundle the ball over the line.

The Firhill side could have been on their way to clinching a shock win when Manny Panther's low cross was met by Stephen Bonnes just a couple of yards out but his shot was blocked for a corner.

Instead it was Hibs who netted again in what was turning out to be a frantic last 10 minutes. Steven Whittaker went on a superb solo run - beating several Thistle players - before firing home from a tight angle with just six minutes remaining.

Partick refused to give up and they could have snatched a share of the spoils three minutes from time but Grady was forced to watch in despair as his shot smacked off the crossbar.

Teams

Hibernian Andersson, Smith, Murdock, Brebner, Doumbe, Glass, O'Connor, Whittaker, Dobbie (Reid 76), Brown (Orman 86), Thomson.

Subs Not Used: Hyldgaard, Nicol, Baillie.

Goals: O'Connor 9, Dobbie 35, Whittaker 84.

Partick Arthur, Mitchell, Murray, Madaschi, Milne (Panther 69), Andy Ross (Ian Ross 45), Rowson, Lilley, Fleming, Thomson (Bonnes 45), Grady.

Subs Not Used: Budinauckas, Taylor.

Booked: Lilley, Fleming, Madaschi, Ian Ross.

Goals: Grady 53, Madaschi 78.

Att: 8,875

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).