Hibs' hat-trick hero, new fan favourite in Gorgie, Livingston blow golden chance - winners and losers from the weekend's football

WINNERS

Marc McNulty (Hibs)

Even though it was against non-league opposition, it would have still felt great for McNulty to open his account for Hibs in his second spell and to grab the match ball by the end of the day. Every striker feeds off confidence, and though he'd no doubt much prefer to bag the same tally against Ross County this coming Wednesday, scoring a hat-trick against a Lowland League side is a lot better than not scoring against a Lowland League side. Hibs fans will hope this gets him going.

Sean Clare (Hearts)

"Clare, Clare will tear you apart, again."

Two months ago, Sean Clare was cheered off the park by his own fans, so unhappy they were by his performance and general form since signing for the club in September 2018. On Saturday they were singing his name after he fired in a penalty to score the only goal of Hearts' slender Scottish Cup triumph over Falkirk. The midfielder is enjoying a new lease of life as a converted right-back in Daniel Stendel's attack-minded system. The extra space afforded to him on the wing brings out the best in his running ability as he gets free reign to charge up and down the park.

Edinburgh City's title hopes

Just one week after it appeared City had blown a precious chance to get back into the title race, they were handed another opportunity which they were fully able to grasp. A double from ex-Hibs star Danny Handling and a stoppage-time sweetener from Liam Henderson gave them a comfortable 3-0 win over Annan Athletic, all while leaders Cove Rangers were losing by the same scoreline up in Elgin. There are now three points separating the two sides at the top of the table - and they play each other in Aberdeen next weekend.

Christophe Berra (Dundee)

Dundee kept their first clean sheet in six games at the weekend with a 2-0 triumph at home to Partick Thistle. Kane Hemmings was the hero of the hour, netting both goals as James McPake's side moved back above Dunfermline Athletic and Arbroath into the final play-off spot. However, it was former Hearts captain Berra who got a lot of the plaudits. The centre-back strolled through the game and marshalled his centre-back partners Josh Meekings and Jordon Forster very well. These are two players who've received the wrath of the Dens Park support a lot this season as the defence has rarely, if ever, looked comfortable, but they each put in assured performances alongside the experienced loanee from Tynecastle.

LOSERS

Livingston

It was an unhappy four days in the Highlands for a Livingston team that had won seven of its last nine fixtures, and five in a row, going into their meetings with Ross County and Inverness CT. The County defeat was a disappointment for a team with aspirations of European football, but road bumps in the league are going to be inevitable. What was less acceptable was the 1-0 defeat to Championship side Inverness CT in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday. The home side lost both of their starting centre-backs in the January transfer window - starting former Hearts pair Brad McKay and Kevin McHattie against Livi - yet for the second game in succession the Lions' attack, led by the typically impressive Lyndon Dykes, failed to find a route to goal. Livingston haven't reached the final four of a major cup competition since 2006 and haven't played at Hampden since the year they won the League Cup - 2004. Sitting in fifth place in the Ladbrokes Premiership and away to a lower-league side, this was an excellent chance to write their own place in history and they blew it.

Joel Pereira (Hearts)

Daniel Stendel kept faith in his goalkeeper for Saturday's trip to Falkirk, but it would be a stretch to say Pereira paid him back. The on loan Manchester United goalkeeper kept a clean sheet, but he didn't really have a save to make with Falkirk blasting their best three chances off the woodwork, and his mishandling of a few crosses caused the away support to get on his back early.

Daryl Horgan (Hibs)

The winger was rather ineffective during Hibs' Scottish Cup win over BSC Glasgow, earning himself the ignominy of being the first player to be substituted among the away ranks. It continues a pattern that's been going on throughout Horgan's Hibs career. Sometimes he can be a match-winner or a terrific impact player off the bench. Other times his contribution can be negligible.

Civil Service Strollers

The Edinburgh-based Lowland League side were thoroughly embarrassed at the weekend, losing 7-2 to Caledonian Braves in a league match at Alliance Park. What makes the result particularly startling is the fact CSS remain above their opponents in the table, and that the score was tied at 2-2 with just under 20 minutes of the game remaining.