Ross County cannot be scared of the challenge facing them, said manager John Hughes after he secured his first win in the job against Hibernian.

Hughes overcame his former side 2-0 with goals from Harry Paton and Oli Shaw, with County moving off bottom place in the Scottish Premiership.

Hibs threatened through Joe Newell, Melker Hallberg and Christian Doidge.

"It's only one result," said Hughes, whose team host St Johnstone on Saturday.

"We're going to embrace it, we're going to bring it on and what will be will be but we're not going to be afraid of it."

County's win sent Hamilton Academical to the foot of the table with Hughes' team a point above them and a point behind Motherwell.

Hibs, meanwhile, remained fourth, with successive defeats leaving them two points off an Aberdeen side now with two games in hand.

Paton moved into an advanced position to combine with Shaw for the opening goal, the Canadian's low left-foot shot fizzing into the net.

County grew in confidence and Stephen Kelly tested goalkeeper Dillon Barnes following a corner.

Doidge could not convert Martin Boyle's cross and Newell was denied by Ross Laidlaw as Hibs began to find their range.

Hallberg was given the chance to bring the hosts level with a set piece just after the interval and his shot was pushed wide by Laidlaw.

Hibs' frustration was growing and Doidge's header from a Newell free-kick bounced narrowly wide.

And the hosts were soon two down. Jermaine Hylton latched on to Keith Watson's throw-in, got past Paul Hanlon and pulled back for Shaw to apply the finish.

One more good chance came Hibs' way with Ryan Porteous nodding another Newell delivery wide.

Man of the match - Oli Shaw

What did we learn?
Delivery let Hibernian down in the first half and when set plays improved after the break, there was a lack of accuracy from those attacking the ball.

Hibs' place in fourth is not under serious threat from Dundee United but they need to get winning again soon to stop Aberdeen opening up too big a gap.

Hughes has had a rough start to life in Dingwall with his first match away to Celtic, his second featuring two red cards for the Staggies and both ending in 2-0 defeats.

But with a vastly improved defensive performance, County now have evidence his approach can work and the tightly packed nature of the league means any sort of positive result can improve a team's position.

What did they say?

Hibernian head coach Jack Ross: "We didn't play well enough to win the game. Individually, a lot of our players were below the levels they've been at in the main this season.

"Consequently, you'll be short as a team. We will deserve to be criticised. Faith and trust in the group remains because by and large this season they've been good."

Ross County manager John Hughes: "They deserve that and the thing that pleases me most is a clean sheet. The shape was solid. We caused Hibs all sorts of problems.

"Hibs were the better team in the first 10 minutes. After that we came right into the game and really passed it and took the game to them."

What's next?
Hibernian's first match of 2021 is at home to Livingston on Saturday (15:00 GMT) while County are also at home on 2 January, against St Johnstone (15:00).