Hibs ease past Alloa with 4-1 Scottish Championship victory at Easter Road

Hibs returned to second spot in the Scottish Championship table after thrashing lowly Alloa 4-1 at Easter Road to overtake Rangers, who were held at home by Scottish Cup finalists Falkirk.

In a match dominated by the Edinburgh side from start to finish, it was surprising they needed 31 minutes to open the scoring with a low strike from Martin Boyle after he latched on to Scott Allan’s pinpoint pass.

And it was 2-0 on 41 when Liam Craig’s cross took a huge deflection off a defender on its way to the top corner.

Craig then hit a post early in the second half before Dominique Malonga raced clear to set up Jason Cummings who added a third from close range just after the hour mark.

Struggling Alloa pulled a goal back two minutes later when Mark Docherty’s cross was lashed home from 18 yards by Iain Flannigan.

However, Malonga sealed three points for Hibs with a fourth goal 20 minutes from time turning home Liam Fontaine’s assist from three yards out.

The hosts, who could have added further goals in this one-sided contest, will seal second spot in the table if they win at Falkirk next Saturday.

As for Alloa, they slipped to the base of the table and will need to beat Cowdenbeath at home next weekend if they are to avoid relegation to League One.