A combined goals tally of 32 illustrates all you need to know about the importance of Kevin Nisbet and Martin Boyle to Hibernian.

The pair were once again on target as the Easter Road outfit strengthened their grip on third place in the Premiership with a 2-1 win over Livingston.

Nisbet grabbed his 17th of the campaign with an early breakthrough, before Boyle notched his 15th after winning and converting a penalty in the first half.

The Herald:

Throw in Christian Doidge and Hibs’ attacking triumvirate have been responsible for the team’s last 13 goals.

Livingston improved after the break and scored late consolation through Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from the spot five minutes from time.

Hibs were back enjoying the home comforts of Easter Road for the first time since February 27 when they lost to Motherwell, a run of six straight games on the road.

The most recent away trip saw Jack Ross’ side book their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, where they will play the Steelmen this weekend, with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Stranraer last Sunday.

The hosts went into the game incentivised by the fact they could move one step closer to pinning down third place in the Premiership.

The painful 3-0 loss at home to the Lions in January would also have been a source of motivation.

The hosts were without the precocious Josh Doig after the left-wing back failed to recover from the knock that forced him off at Stair Park.

Kyle Magennis also dropped to the bench as one of the two changes overseen by Ross.

However, Hibs picked up where they left off against the Blues by taking the lead after seven minutes.

The home side simply sliced Livingston open. Paul McGinn, on the edge of the box, fed Martin Boyle inside the area and although the winger could have shot himself, he elected to square a pass to Kevin Nisbet - leaving the striker with a tap-in from six yards.

The concession of an early goal was exactly what Livingston, feeling the effects of going to extra-time and ultimately bowing out of the cup to Aberdeen on Saturday evening, did not want.

Hibs remained aggressive in their approach and doubled their lead in the 26th minute from the penalty spot.

Boyle lured Efe Ambrose into a challenge at the side of the box and went down.

The Hibs player, the scorer of a brace against Stranraer, sent Max Stryjek the wrong way from 12 yards.

A visibly vexed Livingston manager Davie Martingale turned to his bench two minutes later and brought on Jack McMillan for Jackson Longridge.

That did little to stem the flow of the game. Lions goalkeeper Stryjek pushed a sly Nisbet near-post drive behind for a corner and was then relieved to see Jackson Irvine glance a header wide from Boyle’s delivery.

Alan Forrest was then introduced by Livingston for Ambrose at the break as the Lions attempted to inject much-needed life into their performance.

Patient build-up did end in Craig Sibbald finding space just outside the box but the midfielder’s effort was deflected wide.

After Nisbet hit a free-kick straight at Stryjek, Lions player Sibbald then registered the away side’s first attempt on target with a low deflected drive from 20 yards that was saved by Ofir Marciano.

The Herald:

Livingston substitute Matej Poplatnik then slid in to direct an effort just wide before Forrest hooked a shot off target from ten yards with just Marciano to beat.

There was a nervy ending for Hibs after Emmanuel-Thomas scored from 12 yards after being brought down by Kyle Magennis but Hibs held on.