Martin Boyle netted either side of half-time to take the game away from Motherwell
Hibernian began life after Nick Montgomery with an emphatic Scottish Premiership victory over Motherwell.
The Easter Road club, searching for a fifth permanent manager in under three years, ensured club greats Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson a winning farewell in their final home match, and climb above their visitors into eighth place.
A quickfire double in the final five minutes of the first half ignited the contest, Myziane Maolida rolling home a penalty and Martin Boyle volleying into the bottom-left corner.
Boyle blasted Hibs' third beyond Liam Kelly early in the second period, leaving Motherwell labouring in vain to plot a route back.
A tepid start - yielding only a few Sam Nicholson snapshots and a rasping Boyle drive deflected wide - was punctured by the spot-kick.
Boyle’s deep cross from the right was not properly cleared, and Maolida flicked the dropping ball off the right arm of Stephen O’Donnell.
The Comoros international, a ray of light in a bleak season, stroked home in typically languid and assured fashion. His second penalty against the Steelmen in a month, and his 10th goal in 19 games.
Maolida’s fingerprints were all over Hibs’ second too. His searing run down the left was found by a shrewd Joe Newell defence-splitter, and his cross was deftly weighted to hit the onrushing Boyle.
The Australian’s sidefoot volley was no thunderbolt, but placed neatly enough to beat Kelly.
Boyle rattled in another on 55 minutes, hoovering up Stevenson’s diverted cross, cutting inside and whacking low beyond Kelly.
At last, Motherwell stirred, free-scoring Theo Bair firing straight at Jojo Wollacott from close range, then netting beautifully from the edge of the area, only to see the flag raised against Lennon.
Signs of an attacking pulse, but there would be no revival.
Player of the match - Myziane Maolida (Hibernian)
As usual, while the performances of those around him fluctuate, Maolida was Hibs' most influential presence. Never rushed, always a menace. His close control, running power and finishing acumen are a precious cocktail. How Hibs would love to bring the Hertha Berlin loanee back on a permanent basis next term.
Legends deserved a more illustrious farewell - analysis
The fog hanging over Easter Road seemed an apt metaphor for the malaise engulfing Hibernian.
The club has lurched from one calamitous footballing decision to the next, heaping pressure upon those making the calls. Newly-appointed sporting director Malky Mackay peered through the haar from the West Stand and must understand the vast scale of his task in hiring yet another manager, and sculpting a new team for him to coach.
David Gray has stepped in as interim boss for a remarkable fourth time, and oversaw a positive performance. Fluid football, ruthless finishing and, unusually for Hibs, a largely unflustered defence. You wonder what Montgomery makes of it all.
The ovation from the home fans spoke to the vast contributions of Hanlon and Stevenson as Gray substituted both titans in the dying embers.
A combined haul of over 1100 outings, through the horrors and the glory, relegation and a hoodoo-smashing Scottish Cup triumph, and an unerring commitment to the club.
Stevenson is the only Hibs player to win both national cups. Hanlon has long skippered the team he grew up adoring. Unassuming and probably underappreciated, both deserved a grander farewell stage than a bottom-six fixture at a half-empty ground against the backdrop of more administrative turmoil.
As for Motherwell, this was an entirely forgettable evening. A match which stalled all the momentum built up in recent weeks, four wins from five on the road, and one defeat from six in total.
Their defending was tame, second to too many balls and leaving too great a space for Hibs' forwards. In attack, even Bair, normally so deadly, had a quiet night.
What they said
Interim Hibernian manager David Gray: "Tonight was all about Lewis and Paul and it was a truly fitting way to send them off.
"[Their future] is 100% up to the new manager. The players have shown tonight they are more than capable of playing at this level but that is not a question for me to answer."
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "Overall I’m annoyed and frustrated with the players. We looked ragged, we didn’t play with a purpose or enough aggression.
"I am left so confused as to how the first goal is a penalty. Not so long ago we had an incident against Aberdeen and the Aberdeen player is further away and raises his arm towards the ball and I was told it was in such close proximity it couldn’t be given as a penalty.
"I don’t even know if Stephen O’Donnell is a yard away. I really hope we start to find some clarity."
What's next?
Hibernian finish their season away to already-relegated Livingston on Sunday (15:00 BST), while Motherwell host St Johnstone at the same time.
