Hibernian 4 Alloa Athletic 1

Boyle 31, Craig 42, Cummings 60, Malonga 70; Flannigan 63

THE Hibernian players might need to have a wee root around for their passports after all. A short sunshine break had been promised by manager Alan Stubbs should his team finish in second place in the Championship and, following another tumultuous day in the division, their fate is now firmly in their own hands. This emphatic victory over Alloa, coupled with Rangers' draw with Falkirk, means a victory on the last day of the season away to Peter Houston's side will ensure Hibs will finish the season as runners-up to champions Hearts. That would mean one fewer two-legged tie in the play-offs and also home advantage in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, possibly against Rangers. It was little surprise that there was a feeling of elation around the Easter Road stands come full-time, although Alan Stubbs warned that nothing had been achieved yet.

"The fact that results have gone for us today will be irrelevant if we don't do it ourselves next week," said the Hibs manager. "But it's great that we know now that if we win then the score at Tynecastle will be irrelevant."

Alloa, in contrast, are in something of a pickle at the other end of the division. Another victory for resurgent Livingston had the effect of sending Danny Lennon's side to the foot of the table by dint of their inferior goal difference. By the quirk of the fixture calendar, Cowdenbeath - Lennon's former club - are the visitors to the Indodrill Stadium next weekend, with Alloa needing at least a draw to ensure they avoid automatic relegation.

"Only point separates all three teams so there is everything to play for," said Lennon. "If we bring the qualities that we know that we have we will give ourselves every opportunity of playing in this league next season."

Hibs had to be patient before finally ending 30 minutes of stoic Alloa resistance. They dominated possession and created a number of chances, only for poor finishing and doughty defending to keep them out. Michael Doyle bravely got in the way of a Jason Cummings shot, a Scott Allan free kick was pushed over the top, while a Jordon Forster header was similarly cleared by a diligent Iain Flannigan.

The pressure was mounting, however, and eventually it told. The impressive Allan sent Martin Boyle scampering clear down the right and his composed finish slipped under John Gibson in the Alloa goal. It was the ideal way for the on-loan Dundee player to mark his 22nd birthday.

Alloa could barely get out their own half and not even an early substitution and tactical reshuffle by Lennon could change the flow of the game. Still Hibs came at them and, three minutes before half-time, they scored a second goal that effectively ended the contest. There was some debate over whether Liam Craig meant it or not but it was a spectacular finish regardless, the ball flashing past Gibson at his near post from about 25 yards.

There was no doubting Craig's intentions five minutes after the re-start as he unleashed another thumping left-foot effort from a more central position that seemed destined for the far corner, only to strike the post and rebound to safety.

A third Hibs goal wasn't far away, however, and Allan, unsurprisingly, was at the heart of it again. The midfielder's pass was perfectly measured for Dom Malonga to run on to and when he cut the ball across the face of the goal Cummings couldn't miss from a matter of yards.

Alloa temporarily stemmed the flow with a goal of their own a few minutes later when Flannigan took advantage of some slack defending to net a consolation. Hibs, though, were unperturbed and soon restored their lead. Allan -who else? - stood a cross up to the back post, Forster headed it back across and Malonga tapped in his 15th goal of the season. It is in their own hands now.

HIBERNIAN (3-5-2): Oxley; Forster, Hanlon, Fontaine; Allan (Handling 78), Robertson (Martin 88), Craig, Boyle, Stevenson; Malonga, Cummings (Stanton 65)

Subs not used: Cerny, El Alagui, Dunsmore, Dja Djedje

Booked: None

ALLOA (4-1-4-1): Gibson; Doyle, Gordon, Benedictus, Docherty; McCord (Chopra 84); Ferguson (Rutherford 37), Holmes, Flannigan, Cawley; Buchanan (Layne 72)

Subs not used: Couser, Spence, Tiffoney, Hetherington

Booked: Ferguson 20, Flannigan 21

Att: 8328

Ref: John McKendrick

Man of the match: Scott Allan