Compared to their Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Raith Rovers in February, Saturday's draw at home for Hibernian against the same opponents - sitting third in the SPFL Championship table - could perhaps be seen as an improvement, of sorts.

However, it was still deeply disappointing for them, and the majority of a crowd of close to 10,000 - bigger than any two of the combined gates at SPFL Premiership clubs Partick Thistle, St Johnstone, Kilmarnock or Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

"Obviously it's more points dropped," Scott Robertson, who had given the home side the lead at the end of the first half, said. "Things could change round if we pick up and they [Hearts] falter [but] they've gone on an unbelievable run, only dropping two points the whole season. We've got to play them another three times, so we can make a big impact in that sense - but we've got to do it."

Hibs, now 12 points behind Hearts, just about deserved their lead on Saturday. A combination of Lewis Stevenson's awareness - in releasing Robertson into the penalty area on the right - and Callum Booth's willingness in reacting to retrieve the ball as Jason Cummings' flicked attempt headed wide of the left post, set up an easy finish for the midfielder a minute before the break.

However, Hibs retreated in the second half in a bid to protect their advantage, inviting Christian Nade to become the dominant figure afield and the former Hearts striker got his desserts when, after back-heeling the ball to Ryan Conroy inside the penalty area, it was returned to him in space and he could pick his spot.

That drew a celebration which brought Nade a yellow card for removing his shirt and a compliment from his captain and former Hearts clubmate Jason Thomson.

"I've played with Christian and he's had his fair bit of stick over his weight and stuff but we saw when he took his top off today that he's not exactly a fat bastard," his colleague observed, with a grin.

The Frenchman claimed to have been on his best behaviour prior to the goal as he knew he was going to score and wanted to be able to afford to receive the inevitable punishment for the way he marked it,.

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster also declared pre-match that the outcome of the club's consultation with supporters is imminent.