Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Goals by Marc McNulty, Christian Doidge and Adam Jackson eased Hibernian past Ross County and cemented their sixth place in the Scottish Premiership.

Scott Allan's pass set up McNulty to slot past Nathan Baxter for the early opener and Doidge headed home from 10 yards just before half-time.

McNulty had the chance for a second but his 82nd-minute penalty kick was saved by Baxter's parry to his left.

From the resultant corner, Jackson took advantage of slack marking to head in.

Having drawn 2-2 at Easter Road in October and lost 2-1 in Dingwall in December, it was a league victory over County at the third time of asking for Hibs.

Ross fashioning impressive XI

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross looks as if he has struck gold with his acquisitions in the January transfer window.

The impact made by new recruits McNulty and Greg Docherty has been seismic and, when paired with the pace of Martin Boyle and the precision passing of Allan, Ross is on his way to producing a team that will test any in Scotland.

Boyle and Doidge came close to scoring before Allan carved a pathway through County's three-man back line with a perfect ball for the onrushing McNulty, who clipped it beyond the helpless Baxter.

It was McNulty's first league goal since his return to Hibs and follows his hat-trick against BSC Glasgow in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

County did not just make up the numbers, though. Goalkeeper Ofir Marciano blocked an Iain Vigurs effort and top scorer Billy Mckay delayed his shot when he had a clear view of the target and the home defence eventually cleared.

When Harry Paton evaded the Hibs offside trap and cut the ball back for Mckay, an equaliser looked on the cards but the striker's effort drifted over the crossbar.

However, Hibs snatched a second four minutes before the break to dampen any thoughts of a comeback. Joe Newell swung in a corner from the left and the unmarked Doidge glanced the ball into the net from eight yards.

In the second half, Hibs looked to kill off County as Paul Hanlon fired wide when latching on to a long ball over the top and Boyle was inches away with a pass that would have handed McNulty a tap-in.

To their credit, County never gave up and only a couple of last-gasp clearances by Hanlon and Jackson kept them at bay.

Boyle was on the end of some heavy challenges as County failed to cope with his pace and both Liam Fontaine and Vigurs were booked by referee Steven McLean.

With eight minutes left, Marcus Fraser handled in the box but McNulty's strike from the penalty spot was saved by Baxter low to his left.

But Hibs scored number three from the corner as defender Jackson rose highest to head home from close range and secure what could be a vital three points in the race to grasp a top-six place.

Man of the match - Greg Docherty

The last six months have been wasted for Docherty in terms of top-team action but his move to Easter Road in January has certainly rekindled his career.

The midfielder, on loan from Rangers, was immense throughout the game and it looks as if he will be a key player for the Easter Road side for the rest of the campaign.

His strength in midfield has solidified an area where Hibernian have been vulnerable this season and he is proving to be a terrific signing.

'We're in a much healthier position' - reaction

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross: "Greg Docherty has been terrific since he came in. I got to see him first hand in England last year at Shrewsbury. He has brought exactly what we wanted to the team. His energy is terrific. He's enjoying his football and he will be terrific for us until the end of the season.

"Not so long ago we were in a very difficult position at the bottom of the table and now we're in a much healthier position and now competing where we think we should be."

Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We left ourselves far, far too exposed. Our distances defensively against the ball were miles apart and Hibs exposed us in those situation.

"There are 12 games to go. Our home record has been OK and we have to find a level of consistency. Fortunately the teams around us have lost. We have to make sure we take care of business ourselves."