Hibernian stormed back into third place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a sublime display against an inept Livingston side now cut adrift at the bottom.

The Easter Road club took full advantage of Rangers defeat at Aberdeen thanks to braces from Derek Riordan and Steven Fletcher and strikes from Chris Killen, Garry O'Connor and a David Mackay own goal.

Killen opened the scoring after 18 minutes and Riordan ensured a two-goal advantage at the break after converting a penalty.

It was one-way traffic after the break as O'Connor found the net, Riordan grabbed his second and, after David Mackay's own goal, substitute Fletcher scored two goals in two minutes at the death to complete the scoring.

As they have done for most of the season, Livingston lacked imagination in attack and Hibs goalkeeper Simon Brown was virtually a spectator during the first period.

Hibs broke the deadlock after 18 minutes as Killen scored his second in as many games.

Ivan Sproule darted down the flank before unleashing a low cross which was turned towards goal by O'Connor.

Roddy McKenzie failed to hold onto the shot and Killen eventually forced the ball into the empty net following a goalmouth scramble.

It was no surprise when the Leith side doubled their advantage after good build up play led to Livingston player-manager Paul Lambert making a clumsy lunge on Riordan inside the box.

Referee Charlie Richmond pointed to the spot and Riordan brushed himself down before

converting the penalty, placing the ball low into the right corner of the net in the 33rd minute.

Hibs were just as lethal in front of goal after the break as the home side scored number three with a fluent move finished off by O'Connor.

Midfielder Stephen Glass showed all of his experience to turn two Livingston players brilliantly in the middle of the park before sending Riordan clear with an inch-perfect pass.

Riordan shot across the face of the goal and just as the ball was about to drift wide, O'Connor slid in at the far post to slot the ball into the net.

Sproule then saw a shot cleared off the line by Greg Strong after rounding McKenzie before being involved in Hibs' fourth goal.

Scotland international Riordan dispossessed Wes Hoolahan before Sproule latched on to the loose ball.

The winger's shot was saved by McKenzie but Riordan picked up the rebound to fire the ball into the empty net.

The fifth goal in the 69th minute summed up Livingston's night as a Glass corner was touched into his own net by Mackay.

Hibs created chance after chance and Fletcher amazingly notched a brace in two minutes at the end of regulation time.

His first was a superb strike from 18 yards and his second a well controlled volley from 16 yards from McKenzie's block on Amadou Konte.

Teams

Hibernian Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell (Konde 72), Smith,Murphy, Killen, Stewart, Glass, Riordan, Sproule (Konte 68),O'Connor (Fletcher 55).

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Hogg, McCluskey, Shiels.

Goals: Killen 19, Riordan 33 pen, O'Connor 48, Riordan 64,

Mackay 70 og, Fletcher 89, 90.

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee (Snodgrass 67), Pinxten, Strong,Mackay, Lambert (Adams 72), Walker, Dair, Tierney,Hislop (Scott 45), Hoolahan.

Subs Not Used: Roy, Dorado, Dorrans, Vincze.

Booked: Walker, Tierney.

Att: 12,170

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).