Hibs dominated possession during the early stages against a County team who were clearly lacking confidence from a woeful run of form.

However, Hughes would have been pleased that his team were giving goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw adequate protection.

County's night got even better in the 25th minute when Paton scored against the run of play.

The diminutive forward accepted a Shaw pass on the edge of the box before striking a low left-footed drive past Dillon Barnes.

County had their tails up after breaking the deadlock. Jermaine Hylton then had a shot deflected wide for a corner seconds later.

From Iain Vigurs' resulting set-piece, Stephen Kelly struck a fierce half-volley from outside the box that Barnes pushed over the bar.

Hibs should have levelled in the 32nd minute but Christian Doidge lifted Martin Boyle's square pass well over from 12 yards.

County goalkeeper Laidlaw then pulled off a save to deny Joe Newell from distance.

Hibs upped their pressure in the second half as they went in search of parity.

Laidlaw was again called upon to save well from Melker Hallberg's free-kick.

The Dingwall side then breathed a sigh of relief that referee Don Robertson did not award a penalty when Shaw appeared to trip Boyle inside the box.

Doidge headed just wide from a Newell corner before County doubled their lead in the 76th minute.

Hylton raced along the byline before cutting the ball back for Shaw to tap in from close range.