Super Stevie May completed St Johnstone’s comeback to net a crucial three points at Easter Road.
The homegrown talent, a second half substitute, nodded in the late winner in front of a jubilant travelling support.
Saints had fallen behind - deservedly - in the first half when Mykola Kukharevych placed a header in the bottom corner.
Perth players had really struggled but, after the break, home midfielder Kyle Magennis was ordered off and that changed the momentum.
Nicky Clark levelled with a clever header before May provided one of his own to spark the celebratory scenes.
Clark had made a welcome return to the team-sheet after missing out at Livingston while Connor McLennan was handed his first start in a Perth jersey.
The other fresh starter from that defeat in West Lothian was left-sided wing-back Adam Montgomery, now fully recovered from a broken toe. Dropping to the bench were May, Theo Bair and Jamie Murphy.
It was an historic night in the capital with VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in operation for the first time and there was a brief glance at it within the first 10 minutes.
Referee Kevin Clancy had booked home attacker Martin Boyle for simulation after hitting the deck inside the box. That decision would stand following a quick check.
Prior to this Hibs had started strongly and twice went close through Kukharevych, but goalkeeper Remi Matthews was more than a match on both occasions.
Saints had failed to pose any sort of threat going forward and the best chance was McLennan’s effort from wide on the edge of the box. It was well wide of the mark.
The capital club, meanwhile, continued to look threatening and Kukharevych kept plugging away. He was rewarded on 35 minutes when he rose above Alex Mitchell to impressively nod a Boyle cross into the bottom corner.
Boos from the travelling support then greeted the half-time whistle.
Montgomery did not appear for the start of the second half and was replaced by May.
He attempted to haul Saints back into the game following a quick break but his low strike did not have the power or direction to defeat David Marshall.
David Wotherspoon and Murphy entered the action in the 63rd minute, replacing Mitchell and Wright.
The Perth support continued to make themselves heard but they were being starved of entertainment and any goalmouth excitement in front of them.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, a big lifeline. Hibs were reduced to 10 men when Magennis picked up his second yellow card for a silly foul on Murphy.
Moments later Saints were level. Clark, always alert in the box, found a yard of space to nod Wotherspoon’s corner high into the net.
They should have been ahead in the 77th minute when May forced a save out of Marshall. McLennan, on the follow up, was unable to squirm the ball over the line.
But with 81 minutes on the clock, Saints were ahead. May was the hero with a beautiful header from McLennan’s cross.
That meant a return of The Griddy celebration in front of a jubilant travelling support, who revelled in capital gains.
