St Mirren's hopes of sealing a European spot suffered a serious setback with a damaging defeat to Hibs.The Buddies knew a positive result in the capital could have given them a massive boost in their first ever top-six clash, with the sides locked on 44 points heading into the game.The Paisley club didn't make it easy for themselves in the first half, gifting Elie Youan an opener within just five minutes when Marcus Fraser misjudged a simple throw in.Hibs doubled their lead when they took advantage of more slack defending, Will Fish nodding in at the back post from a corner.The Buddies were much improved in the second half, with Alex Greive netting his fourth goal of the campaign to bring the visitors within touching distance.But despite a late rally Saints just couldn't find the leveller they craved, with Hibs taking the advantage into the remaining four post-split fixtures.Stephen Robinson rang the changes after the Buddies woeful performance last time out against Kilmarnock.

Greg Kiltie came into the midfield in place of Keanu Baccus, who dropped to the bench, while club captain Joe Shaughnessy was replaced by Declan Gallagher.Greive was the one enforced change, with the New Zealand international replacing Tony Watt who will miss the rest of the season after injuring his ankle ligaments.The changes didn't have the desired effect for the Saints, who couldn't have suffered a much worse start in the capital.Marcus Fraser misjudged the bounce from a simple throw-in with less than five minutes on the clock.

Youan nipped in ahead of the centre back before racing through and calmly slotting past Trevor Carson to break the deadlock.St Mirren took ten minutes before they started to settle down in Leith.

St Mirren pay price for poor first half as Hibs take the lead in race for European spot

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