Hibernians survived an early scare to brush aside St Andrew’s 4-1 in a one-sided encounter at the National Stadium.

The Paolites made all the early running as Jorginho powered his way into the area but was blocked by the onrushing Jake Galea. The ball fell into the path of Bjorn Kristensen who saw his grounder blocked by the Saints no.1.

But the Paolites struck in their next attack on nine minutes.

Gilmar retrieved possession at half pitch and embarked on a surging run that took him past two defenders before hitting a low drive that had the better of Galea.

But Hibs’ joy was shortlived as the Saints levelled four minutes later.

Jonathan Perez Cuestra’s throughball put Victor Oseghale clear and the Saints striker kept his cool to slot the ball past Justin Haber.

But Hibs regained their lead eight minutes from half time when Gilmar picked a short clearance before bursting past two opponents and hit a firm drive that gave no chance to Galea.

Cohen but his angled shot flashed wide.

But the Brazilian soon made amends as a minute later he received a good ball from Kristensen before drilling a firm shot past Galea.

 St Andrew’s finally threatened on 69 minutes when Oseghale backheeled the ball towards Salomon Wisdom whose shot was too central to trouble Haber.

Hibs wrapped up the points as a minute from time when Andrew  Cohen sent a delightful pass towards Jorginho who brushed off his marker to fire a shot past Galea.