Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

John McGinn's second-half winner proved enough as Hibernian moved to within five points of third-placed Aberdeen with victory over Dundee at Dens Park.

The Scotland midfielder turned and slotted home from close range seven minutes into the second half.

Paul McGowan wasted two good chances for Dundee, Mark O'Hara and Cammy Kerr brought saves from Ofir Marciano and Matthew Henvey headed wide late on.

Brandon Barker and Simon Murray, from a yard out, missed good chances for Hibs.

But Neil Lennon's side remain five points clear of Edinburgh rivals Hearts, while Dundee stay in 10th, two points above the relegation play-off spot.

Fresh from a battling Scottish Cup draw with Inverness, the home side were determined to get back to the sort of league form they displayed in the league before the winter shut down. For the visitors, it was all about easing the pain of a weekend derby defeat and kick-starting the new year with three points.

Neil Lennon's side pressed Dundee back from the start, moving the ball around well, looking much sharper and faster than a sluggish home side.

But the first shot in anger came from the hosts, Hibs keeper Marciano throwing himself low to block a fierce, crisp Faisal El Baktaoui volley from just inside the box. The Moroccan was at it again moments later as he danced through the Hibs defence but this time his shot was deflected wide.

Dundee boss Neil McCann was upset with several decisions by referee Don Robertson

Undeterred, Hibs continued to swarm forward in numbers and Murray thought he'd converted a fabulous Efe Ambrose cross but the post came to Dundee's rescue. For all their possession, it was Hibs' first real effort on goal.

Storm weathered, Dundee started to find their feet in midfield with McGowan and Glen Kamara linking up well and the full-backs also providing width in attack and stretching the game as Hibs' early fizz faded.

The hosts continued to threaten after the break, O'Hara embarking on a mazy run that ended with him firing just wide.

But five minutes later Hibs took the lead through McGinn. Vikintas Slivka crossed from the right to Murray, who tumbled looking for a penalty, but as he continued his protests on the ground, McGinn pounced on the loose ball and fired low past Elliot Parish.

Both sides threatened after that as the 5,323 fans huddled inside a cold Dens Park watched the game open up further.

Barker couldn't convert despite racing though on the Dundee goal twice and Marciano pulled off a save to match his wonder stop at Tynecastle - this time his outstretched right hand denied a fine close-range header from O'Hara.

Dundee substitute Matthew Henvey (right) missing a chance to equalise with a late header

It all turned frantic for the home side as they desperately pushed to salvage something. The fight was there but the quality was missing.

So too was their defence when Danny Swanson broke down the left and crossed for Murray, rushing in to meet it. Only Murray will know how he managed to miss the ball completely under no real pressure from a few yards out. It was quite simply baffling.

The former Dundee United striker could at least blame Parish before the end, who denied him with a solid double save as the minutes ticked away and the fans trickled off into the night.

It was a continuation of the close encounters between these sides already this season, but one that Hibs deserved to win - just.