Hibernian underlined their Championship aspirations with a convincing win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

David Zitelli gave the visitors the lead on 37 minutes with an easy lob from 14 yards.

Three minutes into the second half Hibs doubled their lead with an own-goal by unfortunate Motherwell midfielder Derek Townsley.

Zitelli finished the contest on 54 minutes when he added a third with a tremendous shot and although Motherwell substitute Stuart Elliott got a goal back in 83 minutes it was far too late for the beleaguered Fir Park side.

There was a bright opening to the game and Motherwell defender Martyn Corrigan had the first effort on goal in the fourth minute, bringing out a good save from Hibs stand-in keeper Michael Franks with a 25-yard shot.

Minutes later Hibs sweeper Franck Sauzee released Stuart Lovell with a wonderful 50-yard pass but the midfielder's shot from 10 yards hit the side netting.

There was little between the teams as the game developed into a midfield battle with neither keeper seeing much action.

In the 22nd minute Motherwell defender Greg Strong connected with a Kevin Twaddle corner but his header from six yards was easily saved by Franks.

Hibs were finding some space down the right-hand side but Mattias Jack was wasteful with his crosses - much to the annoyance of the travelling fans.

In the 33rd minute a Ged Brannan free-kick from 30 yards evaded the Hibs defensive wall but went wide of the right-hand post.

Then, out of the blue on 37 minutes Hibs took the lead. John O'Neill released Zitelli and as Stephen Woods came off his line the Frenchman lifted the ball over him for a simple opener.

There was only three minutes gone in the second half when the visitors doubled their lead. Following a Zitelli corner the ball ricocheted around the six-yard area before it eventually cannoned off the unfortunate Townsley and past Woods.

The home side were clearly rattled and minutes later Latapy found himself clean through on goal but Woods' left foot prevented the Edinburgh men increasing their lead.

Hibs were rampant now and there was no surprise when they added a third on 54 minutes. Latapy sent a perfectly-weighted pass to Zitelli who smashed an angled shot from 14 yards high into the roof of the net.

Motherwell tried bravely to fight their way back but the Edinburgh men were in command and looked like adding to their lead every time they ventured up the park.

And with the points safely in the bag Hibs continued to play some neat one-touch football which at times had the home side chasing shadows.

On 79 minutes Sauzee came close with a 25-yard free-kick, the ball going only inches wide of Woods' right-hand post.

In the 83rd minute substitute Stuart Elliott pulled a goal back for Motherwell with a great drive from the edge of the box which gave Franks no chance.

Teams:

Motherwell: Woods, Corrigan, Kemble, Strong, Hammell (Elliott 46), Townsley, Brannan, Leitch, McMillan, McCulloch (Ramsey 90), Twaddle (Nicholas 73).

Subs Not Used: Oueifio, Connolly.

Booked: Brannan, Leitch.

Goals: Elliott 83.

Hibernian: Franks, Fenwick, Sauzee, G. Smith, Lovell, O'Neil, Jack, Latapy, Laursen (Murray 73), Paatelainen (McManus 78), Zitelli (Lehmann 74).

Subs Not Used: Andrews, Westwater.

Booked: O'Neil, Laursen, Zitelli, Sauzee.

Goals: Zitelli 38, Townsley 48 og, Zitelli 54.

Att: 5,715

Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).