Jefferies hails Killie as Wales rescues late point

Kilmarnock 2 Hibernian 2

Young defender Chris Hogg scored his first goal for the Edinburgh club on the hour mark to cancel out Steven Naismith’s opener for Killie in the 30th minute.

Garry O’Connor then netted five minutes from time with a clinical finish as Hibs looked set to end their poor recent record away.

But, just as he had found a late winner on St. Stephen’s Day against Dundee United, Gary Wales struck at the death from close range to deny the Easter Road side the three points.

Jefferies said: “We kept going to the end again. We never give up and it would have been a real sickener to lose such a good game.

“To get four goals, a cracking game played in the right spirit and a great atmosphere warranted moving the game to today. I’m getting to expect these late goals although I’d rather they didn’t leave it so late! But it made for a very entertaining game and a draw was the right result.”

Hibs boss Tony Mowbray believes “youthful naivety” once again cost his side dear, as they failed to hold onto a lead they established for themselves with just five minutes remaining.

KILMARNOCK: Combe, Greer, Hay, Lilley, Wright, Johnston, Invincibile (McDonald 61), Fowler, Wales, Naismith, Nish (Di Giacomo 87).

HIBERNIAN: Malkowski, Whittaker, Glass, Caldwell, Smith (Rudge 76), Thomson, Riordan, Fletcher (McDonald 87), Beuzelin (Hogg 25), O’Connor, Sproule.

Referee: B Winter (Scotland).