Fraser Murray scored a last-minute equaliser as Kilmarnock snatched a 1-1 draw against Hibernian at Rugby Park to dent the visitors’ third-place ambitions.
Hibs looked to have secured a vital three points after Martin Boyle slotted home midway through the first half to cap off a devastating counter-attack following a Kilmarnock corner routine backfired.
Killie had created little all game in a disappointing performance but they grabbed an unlikely point as Murray prodded home after Joe Wright had headed back across goal.
Despite the late setback, Hibs still remain in third, while Kilmarnock stay 10th, with their top-six hopes all but ended.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes made three changes from his side’s 1-0 loss in Dingwall two weeks ago, bringing in Matty Kennedy, Danny Armstrong and Bobby Wales for David Watson, Liam Polworth and Bruce Anderson.
Hibs boss David Gray had seen his side’s remarkable 15-game unbeaten run ended by Celtic last week and he also made three alterations from that defeat as Josh Campbell, Nathan Moriah-Welsh and the injured Nicky Cadden made way for Dylan Levitt, Jordan Obita and Junior Hoilett.
After a cagey opening 20 minutes it was the hosts who had the first chance of note as Marley Watkins latched onto a loose ball in the box and tried a curling effort from 12 yards that was deflected narrowly wide.
Hibs had not threatened in the first half until they stunned the home side in the 25th minute as a Kilmarnock short-corner routine went wrong.
Murray’s low pass was met by a Danny Armstrong shot but the effort was charged down and, with Killie having over-committed, the loose ball broke to Dylan Levitt who drove the length of the field before passing to Boyle.
The winger then showed composure to side-foot the ball beyond the onrushing Robby McCrorie as the visitors took the lead.
The goal failed to spark a poor game into life, however, and neither side was able to muster any opportunities until seconds before half-time when Nectarios Triantis volleyed just wide from the edge of the box.
It was Hibs who then had the first chance of the second period as Boyle drove forward and unleashed a low shot that was parried away by McCrorie.
Killie had their best opportunity of the game in the 48th minute as Bobby Wales swivelled before volleying straight at Jordan Smith from eight yards out.
Hibs were still looking the more likely scorers though and they had two chances in the 66th minute as the lively Boyle flicked Hoilett’s cross over the bar before setting up Levitt who drove the ball wide from the edge of the area.
Triantis then shot straight at McCrorie when well placed two minutes later as the Edinburgh side looked to make the game safe.
The home side thought they had levelled with 10 minutes remaining as substitute Anderson coolly slotted home Corrie Ndaba’s precise through-ball but an offside flag curtailed the celebrations.
It appeared as if that would be as close as Kilmarnock would come until stoppage time when Liam Polworth’s deep cross was met by Wright and, although Murray failed to connect cleanly, his shot took a slight deflection off Rocky Bushiri before finding the net to earn the home side a dramatic point.
What the managers said…
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: “It’s testament to the players that they keep going and they keep having that resilience.
“We huffed and puffed at times and a lot of our work wasn’t convincing. The goal we lost epitomised the way we were in the first half. I thought we were disjointed.
“We deserved something against Aberdeen at Pittodrie a few weeks ago and we lost the game. We deserved something at Ross County but I think it would be hard to say that today.
“Normally when we play at home we’ve got a bit more control and we never really looked in charge at all.”
Hibernian boss David Gray: “I think it probably feels like two points dropped because of the level of performance and how I felt the game went. I thought we had the best chances in the game in terms of away performance, dominated the ball at times, showed real bravery on the ball and control.
“But when it’s only 1-0, you always run the risk of being pegged back.
“Kilmarnock are a team that are always going to force you to defend and have moments in the game. Up until the last bit there, I thought we dealt with that really well. But obviously it feels a bit sore at the minute because of the fact you lose the goal so late.
“Hopefully it’s a point closer to where we need to be. It could be a massive point between now and the end of the season because it’s a difficult place to come down here.
“I can’t fault the players’ application, their effort, what I’m asking them to do within the game.”
