Two-goal Garry O'Connor helped third-placed Hibernian return to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Dundee to move six points clear of Hearts.

Tony Mowbray's talented young squad had recently been knocked off course with a defeat at Rangers and draw against Motherwell but O'Connor, one of Scotland's bright young striking hopes, put them ahead before the break before playing an important role in Steven Whittaker's goal shortly into the second half.

Steven Fletcher and O'Connor hit the net as Dundee collapsed late on, to take Hibs' tally to 14 goals in the last four games against Jim Duffy's men.

The Dens Park side slumped after a lively start and they must still be looking over their shoulders at relegation rivals Livingston on this showing.

But Hibernian could so easily have been behind after just 40 seconds when Dundee ripped their hesitant defence apart far too easily.

Fabian Caballero picked up the ball and threaded it through Steve Lovell but his touch let him down as he took it around goalkeeper Simon Brown and Whittaker got back to clear the danger.

But Whittaker put his team-mates under pressure in the sixth minute when he failed to cut out Stephen Robb's throw but Brown did well to save Caballero's deflected low strike.

Hibernian responded well by attempting to get their passing game together but they lacked the penetration and final ball to trouble Derek Soutar at the other end.

Gary Caldwell supplied some class in the 14th minute with a great ball over the top to give Sam Morrow a sight of goal but Robb got back well to make a crucial block.

The Dundee defence were on the rack in the 18th minute when O'Connor robbed Lee Wilkie and his effort was pushed out by Soutar.

Derek Riordan was following up and looked destined to bundle the ball home from four yards but Barry Smith made a telling block to save his side.

The home side improved and took the lead in the 27th minute with their best move of the game so far which was started and finished by O'Connor.

He dinked the ball over the top to Riordan and his shot was parried by Soutar but the striker was following up to fire the ball into the back of the net.

Dundee striker frontman Tom McManus was handed a glorious chance to score against his former side in the 31st minute. Caballero seized on Antonio Murray's mistake and played the former Scotland Under-21 international clean through but his weak shot was easily saved by Brown.

Joel Kitamirike was booked for a crude foul on O'Connor moments later and Soutar comfortably saved Riordan's curling free-kick.

Neil Barrett was also shown the yellow card before Brown saved an awkward low free-kick from McManus.

But O'Connor could have given the home side a two-goal cushion at the break when he missed a great opportunity three minutes before the break.

Riordan fired a great ball across the face of goal and his strike partner completely missed it much to Soutar's relief.

It took Hibernian just 90 seconds of the second half to extend their lead and O'Connor was again instrumental in the move.

Many fans had still to return to their seats as Whittaker exchanged passes with him and then took one touch before rifling the ball emphatically into the roof of the net.

At the other end Brown was lucky to survive a dodgy moment as he hesitated to clear on the edge of the box but McManus was unable to take advantage.

Lovell could have scored moments later when the former Hibs man pulled the ball back but his finish was disappointing.

Mowbray was surprisingly the first manager to make a change when he brought on Amadou Konte for Morrow.

Hibernian looked like stretching their lead but Dundee still had chance with Mark Fotheringham heading over.

Stephen Glass fell awkwardly on his hand in the 72nd minute and was quickly replaced by another talented youngster, Scott Brown, who recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.

The Scotland Under-21's first contribution was to cross the ball for Steven Fletcher to plant a glancing header past Soutar and into the opposite corner.

O'Connor bagged his second when he pounced on some slack defending to latch onto Konte's pass to drive a left-footed drive past Soutar.

Hibernian pushed for more goals with Soutar keeping out Konte's deflected effort - but that would have been harsh on a dejected Dundee side.

Teams

Hibernian Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Murphy, Fletcher, Morrow (Konte 61), Antonio Murray, Glass (Scott Brown 73), O'Connor (McCluskey 81), Riordan.

Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown, McDonald, Shiels, Orman.

Goals: O'Connor 27, Whittaker 47, Fletcher 76, O'Connor 77.

Dundee Soutar, McDonald, Smith, Wilkie, Kitamirike, McManus (Sutton 78), Fotheringham, Barrett, Robb, Lovell (Larsen 77), Caballero (Conway 81).

Subs Not Used: Murray, Brady, Mann, Robertson.

Booked: Kitamirike, Barrett.

Att: 10,938

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).