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Hibernian secured second place in the Championship and a Premiership play-off semi-final berth by beating Falkirk.

Alan Stubbs' side knew a win would guarantee them the runners-up spot and took an early lead through Martin Boyle's shot.

Jason Cummings tapped in a second just before the break.

Dominique Malonga rounded off the scoring and Hibs will face Rangers or Queen of the South over two legs later this month.

Third-placed Rangers - who needed to beat Hearts and hope Hibs lost in Falkirk - will play Queens on 9 and 17 May, with the semi-final dates set for 20 and 23 May.

The final, which will feature the team finishing second bottom of the Premiership, will be played on 28 and 31 May.

With Rangers starting the day a point behind Hibs, Stubbs' men got off to the ideal start when Boyle intercepted a pass near halfway, exchanged passes with Scott Allan before tucking home.

Falkirk attempted to bounce back quickly and former Hibs midfielder Tom Taiwo fired in a shot that looked destined for the bottom corner before being deflected wide.

John Baird and Craig Sibbald, who recently scored the Bairns' winner over Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final, were unsuccessful with headed attempts.

The Falkirk defence failed to clear a cross and Cummings calmly collected and rounded Jamie MacDonald to score with ease, by which time Rangers were two up on Hearts.

Hibs lost Jordon Forster to an ankle injury early in the second half but it did not upset their rhythm.

Falkirk manager Peter Houston had tried to rally his players but the Hibs rearguard stood firm.

And with the Bairns pushing more and more men forward, Malonga raced clear on to Cummings' pass and confidently placed beyond MacDonald for Hibs' third and Hearts' late comeback to draw 2-2 with Rangers gave the Easter Road side a three-point advantage over the Ibrox side.

Hibs now have 18 days to prepare for their first play-off match.