Hibs cut gap behind Rangers with 3-1 win over Livingston

Hibernian narrowed the gap on second-placed Rangers to a single point and increased Livingston's Scottish Championship relegation fears with a 3-1 win at the Energy Assets Arena.

A thrilling game got off to a frantic start with three goals inside the opening quarter of an hour as Hibs led through strikes from Scott Robertson and Jason Cummings either side of Myles Hippolyte's equaliser for the hosts.

There were further chances at either end before the first half finished with a red card for Livingston defender Darren Cole.

The drama continued in the second half as Dylan McGeouch saw his penalty saved by Darren Jamieson but Hibs did eventually get a third goal late on courtesy of substitute Dominique Malonga.

It was end to end stuff to begin with and Hibs went ahead with the first real effort on goal as Robertson latched on to McGeouch's pass and tucked the ball home from inside the area after eight minutes.

Livingston were level in the 14th minute when Brad Donaldson's long ball forward was volleyed brilliantly into the top corner of the net by Hippolyte.

However, Alan Stubbs' side quickly restored their advantage through Cummings who scored at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked.

The hosts almost hit back again but Jordan White's back-heel volley was saved by Mark Oxley, while at the other end McGeouch had a goal-bound effort blocked.

Livingston lost Cole in the final minute of the first half when the defender, having earlier been booked for dissent, received his second yellow card of the match for a foul on Cummings.

Hibs had the chance to give themselves a two-goal cushion in the 57th minute when McGeouch was fouled by Kyle Jacobs. McGeouch got up to take the resulting penalty but his kick was saved by Jamieson.

Liam Fontaine saw a header cleared off the line as the visitors threatened a third goal, which came eight minutes from time when Malonga turned his marker and beat Jamieson with a low shot.

Hibs move to within a point of Rangers in the battle for that coveted first play-off spot while Livingston stay bottom of the table, three points behind Alloa and a further point adrift of Cowdenbeath.