AYR UTD 0 HIBS 3
Boyle (28, 77), McGinn (84)
HIBS maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Championship thanks to Martin Boyle’s brace and a stunning free-kick from John McGinn.
Boyle struck in both halves, while Ofir Marciano quelled Ayr’s hopes of a fight-back with a magnificent save from a Jamie Adams header.
It was left to Wembley-bound McGinn to put the icing on the cake with a sizzling 35-yarder which was worth the admission money alone.
Delighted Hibees boss Neil Lennon admitted: “That was our best of the season. As a manager I couldn’t ask for much more in terms of tempo and quality.
“We thoroughly deserved to be ahead and then we finished the game emphatically with a great goal.”
Ayr boss Ian McCall had no complaints.
“Hibs were better than us and deserved to win,” he said.
“We changed things at half-time and went for a more positive formation.
“Jamie thought he had scored but the keeper clawed it away.”
Hibs were quickly on the front foot.
Ayr had Ross Docherty to thank for a goalline clearance after only two minutes before Andrew Shinnie raked in a freekick that flew straight into arms of Greg Fleming’s arms.
A 3000-plus crowd had Somerset Park jumping and the home fans were in fine voice after five minutes. Paul Cairney touched a free-kick to Daryll Meggatt, whose effort was deflected past for a corner.
Hibs’ big travelling support were roaring when Martin Boyle wormed his way clear at the edge of the box but Fleming pushed his shot aside for a corner.
Hibs finally made their pressure count on 28 minutes.
Lewis Stevenson threaded a great ball down the left flank which Boyle was on to in a flash.
The striker cut inside and left Fleming helpless as he beat him with a fierce shot.
After playing second fiddle in the first half Ayr made a change at the break, 18-year-old Craig McGuffie replacing Brian Gilmour.
And they almost found themselves level after 59 minutes.
Docherty cut the ball back from the left and Adams powered in a header that was destined for the corner of the net.
Keeper Marciano somehow managed to claw the ball around the post.
Boyle however put the game beyond doubt on 77 minutes when he seized on John McGinn’s through pass and drilled home.
McGinn had the final word when he lashed home a 35-yarder.