A Derek Riordan double allowed Hibernian to exact a degree of revenge on Livingston after the Almondvale side beat them to the CIS Insurance Cup a few weeks ago.

The Easter Road side took the lead through Tom McManus shortly before half-time only to be pegged back again by a Derek Lilley strike but Riordan weighed in with two goals to ensure the win for Hibs.

The hosts started the stronger team but it was Livi who had the first real chance at goal when Burton O'Brien threaded the ball through to Lee Makel and he had a go at goal from just inside the 18-yard box but he screwed the shot just wide of target.

Riordan tried his luck with an opportunist 20-yard shot after 17 minutes in the hope of giving Hibs the lead but he sent the effort just over the crossbar.

Livingston gave Hibs a reminder that they could also be dangerous in front of goal when Oscar Rubio released Lilley with a long ball and he found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat only to be denied by an impressive block from Daniel Andersson.

But it was Hibs who took the lead after 38 minutes. Roland Edge sent an inviting cross into the box which was missed completely by Marvin Andrews and fell to the feet of McManus to bundle over the line from inside the six-yard box.

Livingston started the second half desperate for the equaliser and they did not have to wait too long for the goal.

David Fernandez released Lilley into the box and he did well to flick the ball over Andersson and into the back of the net from eight yards just four minutes after the restart.

But Hibs were back in front after 53 minutes. Colin Murdock jumped highest to connect with the ball from a corner and his header looked net-bound but Riordan made sure by scrambling the ball over the line.

Lilley went on the hunt for more goals but he was dispossessed in the box by Murdock before he could even release the shot.

Livingston then squandered a golden opportunity to draw level again when Andrews found himself with the ball at his feet just a few yards out but his shot was weak and Kevin Thomson managed to hook the ball off the line and to safety.

Hibs substitute Garry O'Connor replaced goalscorer McManus and he played a great ball through to Alan Reid in the box but he screwed the shot across the face of goal and past the post.

The third goal eventually came with eight minutes remaining when Riordan met Gary Caldwell's cross to send a glancing header past Roddy McKenzie to secure the three points but the youngster was guilty of missing a couple of gift-wrapped chances after that.

The game ended with an ugly scene when Colin McMenamin left Andersson writhing in agony following a late challenge and the Livi substitute was pushed to the ground by Murdock, with both McMenamin and Murdock earning themselves yellow cards.

Teams

Hibernian Andersson, Whittaker, Baillie, Murdock, Edge, Scott Brown (Orman 85), Caldwell, Thomson (Kane 88), Riordan, McManus (O'Connor 68), Reid.

Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown, Fletcher.

Booked: Scott Brown, Murdock.

Goals: McManus 39, Riordan 54, 83.

Livingston McKenzie, Andrews, Rubio, McLaughlin, McAllister, Makel, Brittain, Lovell (McMenamin 73), Fernandez, Lilley (McPake 88), O'Brien.

Subs Not Used: Main, McGovern, Snowdon.

Booked: Lilley, Makel, McMenamin.

Goals: Lilley 50.

Att: 6,507

Ref: H Dallas (Scotland).