A very under strength visiting side won what was a poor affair, with the goal and the sending off of Hristos Karipidis the only real incident to speak of.
Hearts fans expected their team to look dangerous down their left and it was from that channel that the first chance came in the 11th minute.
Lee Wallace burst into the box and after Ian Murray could not clear, the ball broke to Calum Elliot, who could not get enough on his shot and Yves Makalambay was able to gather at the second attempt.
Hibs' makeshift side were playing on the break and the pace of Alan O'Brien down the right caught Hearts up-ield in the 23rd minute.
The Irishman found Derek Riordan, but he could not capitalise and Marian Kello turned his shot round for a corner.
A fine O'Brien flick created the next chance of the match, but John Rankin could not find the target and the first half petered out without any real excitement.
Into the second half and the match did not improve as was hoped. O'Brien scuffed a shot wide and substitute Christian Nade could not get a touch on a David Obua cross as a goal looked a distant dream.
Andrew Driver came as close as anyone in the 63rd minute but his shot was comfortably saved by Makalambay at his near post.
Another half-chance came and went for Nade before the major incident of the match brought about the only goal of the game in the 79th minute.
A long ball over the top by Makalambay caught Hearts napping and as Riordan got behind Karipidis, the Greek defender brought down the Hibs striker and a penalty was awarded.
Karipidis was sent off as the last man and Riordan himself dispatched the spot-kick with aplomb.
Any other Hearts' breaks were mopped up by the commanding away defence, with Ian Murray in particular helping the visitors to a 1-0 win.