Leigh Griffiths' 14th goal of the season gave Hibs victory over the table-topping Bhoys at Easter Road.
The on-loan Wolves striker struck in the eighth minute when he rounded Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster and squeezed the ball in from an acute angle.
The visitors dominated almost totally thereafter but huffed and puffed when not being denied by Hibees keeper Ben Williams, who had a fine afternoon.
Although Eoin Doyle had two good chances before the break to double the home side's lead with Gary Deegan missing another in the second-half, these three points belonged to the Leith side's resolute rearguard.
Inverness failed to score for the first time this season but stretched their unbeaten run to nine games and retained second place after a 0-0 draw with St Johnstone.
Caley Thistle had found the net in their previous 25 matches this season, with their SPL games averaging four goals a game, but they found Saints difficult to break down despite having two one-on-ones in the opening stages, neither straightforward.
Gregory Tade had a similar chance saved for the hosts, who also saw David McCracken's header cleared off the line, but the game lacked the spark associated with Inverness throughout the season.
Niall McGinn bagged a hat-trick as Aberdeen returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at Dundee.
McGinn produced the goods with an outstanding second-half showing against rock-bottom Dee, who remain nine points adrift at the foot of the table in their fight to avoid relegation back to the Irn-Bru First Division.
Northern Ireland ace McGinn broke the deadlock a minute after the restart and put the rampant Reds further ahead in the 68th minute with a free header.
Dee substitute Mark Stewart hit a consolation strike with eight minutes left but McGinn dashed any hopes of a comeback and completed his treble in the 88th minute.
Motherwell battled back from two goals down to earn a deserved share of the spoils from a 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock at Fir Park.
Borja Perez opened the scoring after 12 minutes when he spun before slamming the ball beyond Darren Randolph.
Paul Heffernan doubled Kilmarnock's lead against the run of play on 63 minutes, however, Motherwell came storming back and quickfire goals from Jamie Murphy and Henrik Ojamaa put the hosts back on level terms.
There were further chances for the home side in the closing stages, but the Kilmarnock defence survived some late scares to ensure a point.
Ross County's scheduled clash with Hearts was postponed after the pitch failed a late inspection following heavy rain.
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