It's as you were then. Alan Stubbs had declared this match more important than Sunday's William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round tie against bitter rivals Hearts and it was hard not to agree with his reasoning.

Eight points adrift of Rangers prior to kick-off despite holding a game in hand over Mark Warburton's side, anything less than a result that at least matched the score at Stark's Park would have left the Edinburgh outfit seriously compromised in the title race.

The chase continues, however: Anthony Stokes' goal – his second in two games since arriving on loan from Celtic – proving to be the solitary difference on a night when Hibs just did enough to secure the three points.

Given the significance of the fixture, it came as something of a surprise that Stubbs made four changes to the team that defeated St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Tynecastle with Niklas Gunnarsson, Darren McGregor, James Keatings and Anthony Stokes coming in for David Gray, Paul Hanlon, leading scorer Jason Cummings and Chris Dagnall respectively.

The hosts, meanwhile, were unchanged from the team that lost here to Rangers eight days earlier.

Hibs found Morton in stubborn form and certainly not displaying the traits of a team which had losts their last three at home and which had failed to record a victory at Cappielow since November.

Chances were at a premium as both sides struggled to cope with the slick surface but Ross Forbes was just off target with a drive from 25 yards a few minutes later.

Stubbs was forced into another change Hibs lost Liam Fontaine to a suspected hamstring injury in the 12th minute and he was replaced by Paul Hanlon.

Fraser Fyvie was next to try his luck but his shot sailed over the bar and wide of the post in the 40th minute.

Two minutes later, Hibs came closest to breaking the impasse with Keatings rising to meet Lewis Stevenson's cross from the left with a header that Derek Gaston clawed out from under the bar.

Just seconds before referee John McKendrick blew for half-time, Stevenson found himself in the notebook for dissent.

Hibs took the lead two minutes after the restart and it was a result of comedic defendng by the hosts.

Lee Kilday squandered possession by passing straight to the grateful John McGinn and he rolled the ball to Anthony Stokes who toe-poked home for his second goal in two games, albeit with some good fortune as the on-loan Celtic striker looked to have squandered the opportunity when his bobbled second touch appeared to have given the Morton defence the advantage.

Stokes should have made it 2-0 just a minute later but opted for guile with a guided finish when power might have been the better option and his shot trundled well wide.

Morton almost found the equaliser when Conor Pepper crossed for Denny Johnstone but the former Celtic striker looped his header over the bar.

At the other end, McGinn lined up an effort from range on the 62nd minute mark after good build up work by Dylan McGeouch but the former St Mirren midfielder's effort sailed into the terracing behind Gaston's goal.

Morton were struggling to make an impact despite some concerted possession and appeared content to let their hosts dictate play and seek to counter when a pass went astray.

On one such occasion, Henderson broke at pace and fed Stokes in the left channel, however Gaston had little difficulty in clinging on to his well-struck shot.

There was a late scare for Hibs when Denny Johnstone worked space for himself in the area but his shot was deflected for a corner which amounted to nothing.