St Mirren's 11-game unbeaten run is over after a 1-0 Scottish Premiership loss to Hibernian at Easter Road.

Kevin Nisbet's fine curling effort was enough to give Jim Goodwin's side their first defeat since 2 October.

Brandon Mason was sent-off late on for the visitors, before Christian Doidge also received his second yellow card.

The result moves Hibernian into third place, one point behind Celtic, though the champions still have three games in hand.

Jack Ross' side are on an unbeaten streak of their own, with their last defeat in any competition coming 10 games ago.

Hibs lost a late leveller against Dundee United's last weekend and started eager to make amends. But it required a moment of real quality to break the deadlock after an even start.

Intricate and patient play led to Boyle dribbling across the 18-yard line and playing a short pass to Nisbet, who took one touch before gently curling a delicate effort high into the net.

That provoked a response from the visitors, and Ryan Porteous' heart may have been in his mouth when Richard Tait took a tumble in the box, but referee Steven Kirkland waved play on.

Though the hosts looked shaky at the back, they were confident going forward, with St Mirren struggling to deal with the width provided by Boyle.

Former St Mirren captain Kyle Magennis nearly doubled their lead before the break, but his half-volley went narrowly over the bar.

Hibs were then given a gilt-edged chance to double their lead with Boyle once again the architect. Joe Newell's quick free-kick set him away down the right, but his driven pass was somehow turned behind by Conor McCarthy.

Both sides made a change at half-time. Magennis was withdrawn for Drey Wright, while Jim Goodwin looked to provide a spark with the introduction of Ilkay Durmus in place of Tait.

He was nearly instantly rewarded when Cammy MacPherson's cross from the left found Durmus unmarked in the box, but he got his header all wrong and it went harmlessly wide. Jon Obika also came on and had a chance to score but elected to shoot early and blazed over the bar.

Hibs then had to replace first-choice goalkeeper Ofir Marciano, with Dillon Barnes his replacement. Barnes was soon called into action by a long-range effort, but he got down well to turn the ball behind.

Nisbet really should have wrapped up the three points when Wright's dragged effort fortuitously fell into his path just a few yards from goal, but he could only find the side-netting.

A lack of discipline was on display in the closing stages. First, Mason was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Boyle, before Doidge was dismissed for a stray arm into the face of Ethan Erhahon.

Despite late St Mirren pressure, Hibs managed to see out the victory.

Man of the match - Martin Boyle

What we learned

Hibs' profligacy was the major source of angst among their supporters following the draw with United, but it only cost them because they were unable to keep a clean sheet.

In fact, before this game they had only kept one all season at Easter Road, and that was in August. If they have ambitions of securing a third-place finish or above, that has to improve. Tonight was a step in the right direction, but they still looked vulnerable at the back at times.

For St Mirren, there were positives. Durmus' header could have easily made it 1-1, while on another day they may have had a penalty.

If they can bounce back against the league's bottom side - Ross County - on Boxing Day, this defeat will feel like a distant memory.

What they said

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross: "Our response to the disappointment of how the Dundee United game finished was excellent, the character of the team is good.

"We're on a terrific run, a lot of teams have been getting plaudits for the runs they've been on - we're on a really good run and have been for the bulk of the season."

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "We certainly didn't deserve to win the game, but apart from one moment of quality from Nisbet there wasn't a great deal between the two teams. It was a very even game."

What's next?

Hibernian face Premiership leaders Rangers at Ibrox on Boxing Day (12:30 GMT), while St Mirren are away at Ross County (15:00).