Hibernian 2 Kilmarnock 2

2002
Scottish Premier League
Attendance:

Scorers:
Hibernian: Hurtado, Fowler(o.g.).

Kilmarnock: Johnson, McGowan.

This is a copy of a report of the game as it appeared in the Scotland on Sunday on Sunday on Sunday 20th January 2002

Hibs eye beautiful day

THE DJ probably thought he had some inside information. Gone was the pre-match Proclaimers ditty about sunshine on Leith, replaced by Beautiful Day and for the long-suffering Hibs fans, who were convinced they were heading for their first win in 14 league matches, it sounded prophetic.

The only problem was that Kilmarnock and Kevin McGowne in particular seemed to be singing from a different songsheet.

Perhaps the song was aimed at the neutrals as both teams concentrated on the positive aspects of the game, keeping the ball on the ground and playing some fluid, passing football. It was a reminder of the type of football Hibs earned the plaudits for last term and was an indication that with a little bit of self-belief, they should yet pull themselves clear of the relegation battle.

That escape bid was aided marginally yesterday by results elsewhere but like so many previous occasions this season, Hibs shot themselves in the foot, dropping two of the three points they appeared to have bagged by allowing the Killie defender in for the last-gasp equaliser.

It was a bitter pill for Hibs to swallow considering the glut of chances that had been squandered as Garry O’Connor, Ulrik Laursen and Derek Riordan all lined up to kill the game off but failed to find the net.

A goal up before the psychological demons could begin to work their magic thanks to their 11th-minute opener, Hibs played with more confidence than in recent weeks when the longer matches progressed the more self-doubt and frustration seemed to sap them.

But up against a Kilmarnock side that is youthful, exuberant and seemingly totally lacking in nerves, they were never going to be afforded the luxury of resting on their laurels.

Young Stephen Murray was a major thorn in the side of the Easter Road men, giving Alen Orman so torrid a time of it that he had to be substituted prior to half-time as a red card loomed large.

He had escaped that indignity minutes earlier when another lunge at the youngster had referee Kenny Clark reaching for his top pocket until he appeared to remember that the Bosnian had already been booked. Minutes later Franck Sauzee replaced him with Ulises De La Cruz.

While delighted with a share of the points, Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson was far from impressed by reception afforded Murray by the Hibs support.

"What’s the point in putting football players out there if they are not going to be appreciated?" he asked. "I can appreciate the talents Hibs have got in their team."

One of those promising talents remains Garry O’Connor but the youngster knows his profligacy probably cost his teammates the win.

In a game that provided end to end action as the ball was stroked about decisively, it was a draw that Kilmarnock merited, for their tenacity if nothing else. Their job was made all the harder by the critical timing of Hibs’ goals which came when the nerves showed signs of rattling.

The first was in the 11th minute when Kilmarnock players failed to play the whistle, pulling up slightly as Paul Di Giacomo crumpled to the ground. Gary Smith, who has matured into a calm and reliable figure at the back for Hibs, fed a long ball over the top of the Kilmarnock defence, which the huge Hibs striker Eduardo Hurtado collected and homed in on goal before slotting past Marshall from a tight angle. It was a goal that gave Hibs the confidence to face up to the waves of Kilmarnock attacks and the bravery to continue breaking forward with a few of their own.

Without that early strike it could have been an all-together different result as Kilmarnock began to take hold of the game and it did look only a matter of time before they would make a breakthrough.

They did so in the 64th minute when Alan Mahood crossed for Tommy Johnson, who had also been given a hard time of it from the Hibs support, to volley home but it looked like it may be too late as all it served to do was narrow the deficit following Jamie Fowler’s own goal a minute earlier.

Kilmarnock refused to give up, though, and while Hibs had the more clear-cut chances as the game ebbed away they held on and deserved their share of the spoils when McGowan rose to head home in the final minute.

HOME