Hibernian striker Derek Riordan insists John Hughes' side have still to hit top form - despite increasing their unbeaten run in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League to nine matches with a 2-0 win over Falkirk.

The Easter Road outfit have drawn level on points with Rangers in joint second place, following the Ibrox side's defeat at Aberdeen, and sit just two points behind leaders Celtic.

With Dundee United in close pursuit in fourth spot, the Old Firm's dominance is under threat.

But Riordan - who netted a double in the battling success over the Bairns - knows the Edinburgh team must improve to stay in the title hunt.

The 26-year-old said: "We've not been playing well and are still getting the victories so it's a good sign for us.

"I thought the first half we played well but in the second half we just sort of died a bit.

"We weren't playing much football, just the long ball up to big (Colin) Nish who I thought did really well holding the ball up. But the result was the main thing, I'm happy enough."

Riordan has been playing in a left midfield role of late but it has not stopped him reaching eight goals for the season.

The Scotland forward made the breakthrough on Saturday after 33 minutes, steering an angled volley home with the aid of a touch from Falkirk defender Brian McLean.

It came shortly after the Bairns had a goal disallowed when the assistant referee ruled the ball had gone out of play shortly before Darren Barr cut back for Ryan Flynn to net.

Pedro Moutinho also went close with a chip replacement keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay touched on to the bar in the second half.

But Riordan eased the growing tension with another emphatic finish two minutes from time after a pass from David Wotherspoon.

Riordan said of the opener: "It was going wide, but I'm claiming it. They took one off me against Brechin in the cup in August when I put one towards the top corner and it nicked off someone.

"I saw it on Sky Sports that they gave me two goals so I'm claiming it.

"To be honest, I couldn't see the ball come across because of the floodlights. It was in the air that long that the floodlights put me off, so I just swung my leg at it. It was instinct really, I just hit it and it went in for me."

Falkirk remain bottom of the table after their mini-revival was halted, but manager Eddie May - who is still awaiting international clearance for new French signing Toufik Zerara - feels there is much potential.

He added: "I think the difference in the game was Derek - two fantastic finishes.

"But we are slowly but surely getting it right. If anybody says there are not any quality players in Scotland, I'm sure if they come along and saw Falkirk then there is some decent quality.

"I'm very proud to be the manager, I'm sure we will win games."