Good opportunity for Queens to hit right back as Ciaran Dickson is tripped by Joe Newell about 25m out.

Up steps Rhys McCabe, who is a set-piece demon, and he almost outfoxes Matt Macey at his near post. It cracks the upright with the 6ft 7ins stopper scrambling across. That's almost the last act of the first half.

Craig Levein
Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland

There's the breakthrough! Three minutes of the first half remaining, and Christian Doidge makes it two goals in two matches.

It's another Martin Boyle corner, this time from the left, which Queens can't get rid of. The Hibs players scream for hand ball, then scream in delight as Doidge twists and fires low beyond the stranded Rohan Ferguson amid a ruck of bodies.

Image source, BBC Sport

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland

Again, Martin Boyle is sent scampering into the Queens box from the right, and his driven square ball is knocked behind for another corner.

Up rises Christian Doidge from the set-piece, but he gets his header all wrong, and it skews behind for a goal kick.

Hibs have the momentum as the first half nears its conclusion.

Ouch!published at 40 mins

40 mins

Queen of the South 0-0 Hibernian

Hibs win two corners in quick succession through Martin Boyle's persistent running threat. They can't make either of them count, and from the second, Gregor Buchanan clashes heads with Ryan Porteous.

Some claret streaming from Buchanan's mouth, and play is stopped so the Queens defender can receive treatment.

Now it's Hibs beginning to forge some clever attacking football. Young left-back Josh Doig is at the heart of it, surging up and down the touchline.

Joe Newell has a crack from distance, and then Doig is denied as he tries to pierce the Queens defence and break into the box.

Craig Levein
Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound

Richard Foster
Partick Thistle defender on BBC Scotland

The weather is worsening in Dumfries, as the first flakes of snow begin to flutter down at Palmerston.

Can either of these sides warm things up with a goal before the break?

Well, that was unorthodox at the back from Queens.

Willie Gibson is haring back furiously after a bouncing ball inside the home box. Rohan Ferguson is haring forward furiously towards the said ball.

Gibson nods it in the direction of his onrushing goalkeeper, who just manages to cling on.

It works - just.

Christian Doidge is a real workhorse for Hibs, switching flanks and dropping into the wide areas to make himself a target.

He shimmies past Willie Gibson down the left, but his left-foot cross drifts on to the roof of the net. It was going pretty well for the big striker until the end product.

A few tasty tussles between these two so far...

Image source, SNS

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland

Better from Hibs. Much better.

Kevin Nisbet drops miles back towards halfway, and scoops one down the right on to the chest of Christian Doidge. Lovely touch from the big Welshman for Martin Boyle, who drives across the face of goal.

Queens half-clear, and Nisbet, following up, steers an ambitious low volley wide on his right foot.

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland

More encouraging stuff from Queen of the South, who hassle and harry Hibs into coughing up possession. Paul McGinn has been caught on the ball a couple of times early doors.

They look good on the ball, too, skooshing it around up and down the left flank inside Hibs territory. Can they cleave open their top-flight guests?

James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Scotland