Scottish Championship: Hibernian go three points clear

Hibernian extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Championship table to three points, after romping to a 4-0 victory over Queen of the South at Easter Road.

The league leaders scored twice in each half, Brian Graham netting the opener after only eight minutes, firing home from close range.

Martin Boyle almost made it 2-0 when he hit the post but, two minutes later, the mid-table Doonhamers suffered the same fate via the foot of Mark Millar.

And three minutes before the break, Chris Higgins put through his own net to give the Edinburgh giants a two-goal cushion.

Boyle should have widened the margin before David Gray managed the faintest of touches to add a third goal on 53, when he finished off from six yards following John McGinn's assist.

Boyle finally found the back of the net midway through the second half, after good work by Gray.

Hibernian's closest rivals Dundee United drew a blank at Morton in a goalless draw during which both sides created decent opportunities to break the deadlock.

James Craigen netted the only goal at Somerset Park where Falkirk beat Ayr United to end a run of four games without a win.

His low strike in the 15th minute sealed three points, as he latched on to Aaron Muirhead's low cross to drive home from 12 yards.

Hail stones made an appearance while Craigen and John Baird both struck the woodwork as the Bairns sought to extend their advantage.

Neither Dumbarton or Raith Rovers could find the back of the net at the Bet Butler Stadium where the hosts created the majority of the chances.

The Sons dominated after the break, with Donald McCallum, Samuel Stanton and Robert Thompson all squandering chances.

At Paisley, bottom of the table St Mirren were beaten 1-0 by Dunfermline, for whom Nick Clark snatched the only goal.

Clark latched on to a rebound after Lee Ashcroft's initial shot had been blocked.

And with 95 minutes on the clock, Michael Moffatt struck a post as the Pars chased a second goal. The defeat leaves Saints seven points adrift and still without a victory this season.