Derek Riordan scored twice against struggling Dunfermline at Easter Road to help pull Hibernian to within six points of second-placed Hearts.

Simon Donnelly came off the bench to cancel out the Scotland international's stunning opener in the first half to give Dunfermline hope of pulling away from bottom club Livingston.

But Riordan overtook strike partner Garry O'Connor in the SPL scoring charts by curling home his 10th goal of the campaign before Steven Fletcher wrapped up the points with a late strike.

Hibernian looked the more capable side early on and Garry O'Connor caused the visitors all sorts of problems.

The Scotland international saw an opportunity open up in the seventh minute but his chip, from inside the area, bounced just wide.

But Dunfermline almost snatched the lead against the run of play in the 12th minute with the best move of the game so far.

Former Hibernian man Yannick Zambernardi swung in an inviting cross to the back post for Bartosz Tarachulski to head back across goal but Simon Brown did well to back-pedal and cling onto the ball as he fell backwards.

Riordan was looking for a penalty in the 15th minute having been fed in the box by O'Connor but referee Stuart Dougal did not deem the challenge of Greg Shields to be illegal.

Allan McGregor did well to save Stephen Glass' stinging right-footed shot moments later before watching O'Connor's header shave the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard box.

But Hibernian were ahead in the 17th minute and there was nothing the Dunfermline goalkeeper could do to stop Riordan's superb effort.

Scott Brown played the ball to the Scotland striker, on the edge of the box, and he curled a first-time right-footed shot into the top corner of the net.

The home supporters sang the name of Northern Ireland international Dean Shiels following the news he is to have an eye removed while Gary Caldwell was given a generous reception despite his summer Celtic move.

Michael Stewart attempted to double Hibernian's advantage in the 22nd minute but he failed to find the quality and poise of Riordan and sent his effort sailing over the crossbar from the edge of box.

Glass came within inches of curling a second goal for Hibernian having received the ball from Steven Whittaker. He looked up and sent a left-footed effort just past the upright and O'Connor was just unable to get a telling touch on the ball.

Hibs midfielder Brown carved out a glorious chance for himself moment later when he glided past Iain Campbell in the area but blasted a low right-footed shot across goal but past the far post.

Pars boss Jim Leishman was forced to make a change in the 33rd minute when Andy Tod hobbled off to be replaced by Simon Donnelly. The former Celtic man made an instant impact by hauling his side level two minutes later.

Tarachulski nodded on Zambernardi's free-kick and Donnelly steadied himself before blasted a low right-footed shot past Brown.

Donnelly could have made his entrance even more spectacular having cut inside from the left flank before blasting a shot against the post in the final minute of the first half.

Hibs boss Tony Mowbray made a change in the 52nd minute with Ivan Sproule replacing David Murphy.

Caldwell almost endeared himself to the Hibernian fans, who have not forgiven him for signing a pre-contract deal with Celtic, seconds later when his overhead kick, from Kevin Thomson's free-kick went just wide.

Mowbray made another substitution in the 55th minute with Steven Fletcher replacing O'Connor.

Hibernian continued to pile on the pressure and McGregor did well to push Thomson's fierce drive behind for a corner moments later.

Shields was booked in the 59th minute for clipping the heals of Brown as he burst forward with intent from midfield but McGregor comfortably held Riordan's dipping free-kick from 22 yards.

But Riordan moved the home side back into the lead with another wonderful effort in the 71st minute.

Darren Young fouled Brown just outside the area and the youngster curled an unstoppable right-footed shot around the wall and into the far corner of the net, again giving McGregor no chance.

Fletcher made sure of the points by crashing a right-footed shot past McGregor late on but the day belonged to Riordan.

Teams

Hibernian Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Murphy (Sproule 52), Scott Brown, Stewart, Thomson, Glass, O'Connor (Fletcher 56), Riordan.

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Hogg, Morrow, McDonald, Konde.

Goals: Riordan 17, 71, Fletcher 89.

Dunfermline McGregor, Shields, Scott Wilson, Tod (Donnelly 33), Zambernardi, McCunnie, Ross (Craig Wilson 84), Makel, Campbell, Tarachulski (Gunnlaugsson 74), Darren Young.

Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Labonte, Mason, Dunn.

Booked: Shields, McCunnie.

Goals: Donnelly 35.

Att: 13,316

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).