Backs To The Wall Killie Produce Big Time

Hibernian (2) 2 Kilmarnock (2) 4
(Scot Premier Division, Match 19, Easter Rd, Dec 27th 2008)

Danny Invincibile marked his return from injury with a brace for 10-man Kilmarnock in a thrilling 4-2 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win at Hibernian.

The Australian opened the scoring in the fifth minute and Allan Russell doubled the visitors' lead.

Hibs midfielder Dean Shiels scored two penalties in a five-minute spell, with Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe sent-off for conceding the second, but Invincibile headed the away side back in front before Garry Hay notched a fourth.

Kilmarnock were without the injured Frazer Wright as the defender had a hamstring problem.

Donovan Simmonds dropped to the bench as midfielder Mehdi Taouil and striker Danny Invincible returned from injury.

Kilmarnock made a bright start to the match and took the lead as early as the fifth minute with a clinical finish from Australian forward Danny Invincibile.

The striker, who had only just returned to the startling eleven following injury, was picked out at the back post by Jamie Hamill and he volleyed the ball past the hapless Yves Ma-Kalambay from close range.

With Hibs still in shock at losing the opening goal, the Rugby Park outfit pounced on their opponents' vulnerability and doubled their lead in the 11th minute.

The goal came from a corner that Rob Jones was forced to concede with Allan Russell about to connect with Hamill's dangerous cross.

Ma-Kalambay flapped at Mehdi Taouil's set-piece at the front post and the ball broke to Allan Russell and he found the net with a left-footed shot from 10 yards.

Hibs defender David van Zanten became the first player in the game to be booked when he went in with his studs showing in a rash tackle on Gavin Skelton.

Hibs' plight worsened in the 28th minute when captain Rob Jones was forced off injured and was replaced by Steven Thicot, with the Frenchman fitting in at centre-half.

Kilmarnock had their own problems to deal with when Manuel Pascali and Hamill suffered a clash of heads but both players were able to continue after treatment.

The home side turned the game on its head with the award of two penalties in a three-minute spell.

The first came in the 34th minute when referee Euan Norris pointed to the spot after Dean Shiels was fouled.

The midfielder brushed himself down before firing the ball high into the net.

Moments later, Colin Nish raced clear of the Kilmarnock rearguard and was brought down by Alan Combe (above) as he rounded the goalkeeper.

Alan Combe was given his marching orders and Shiels found the net past substitute goalkeeper Damien Rascle with the aid of the post.

Acknowledging his side had been reduced to 10 men, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies brought on pacey winger Willie Gibson for striker Russell.

Gibson was in the thick of the action as Invincibile headed the visitors back in front in the 47th minute. (above).

The substitute chipped a teasing delivery to the back post and the unmarked Australian powered a header past Ma-Kalambay from just two yards.

Hibs tried to respond immediately through David van Zanten but Rascle palmed the full-back's near-post shot wide after working an opening with Shiels.

John Rankin thought he had levelled in the 64th minute after cutting along the 18-yard line but his right-footed shot was pushed away for a corner by Rascle.

With Hibs chasing the game, manager Paatelainen took off defender Van Zanten for striker Derek Riordan, with the visitors happy to sit on their narrow lead.

However, it was Kilmarnock who scored again through Garry Hay in the 75th minute.

Gibson latched onto Thicot's slack pass to Bamba in the centre-circle and raced down the left flank and into the box.

The ball fell for Hay as Gibson attempted to get round Bamba and the left-back lashed a powerful shot low into the net from an acute angle.

Sandy's Match Pic's are HERE

Hibernian (2) 2 Kilmarnock (2) 4 SPL Match 19, Easter Rd, Dec 27th, 2008, KO: 15:00 Attendance:  12,117    Hibs Goals:  Shiels pen 36 , pen 40

No Player Started Substitution Cards Goals 1 Alan Combe  (Straight Red 37 mins)   3 Garry Hay     76 mins 15 Grant Murray       2 Jamie Fowler       23 Jamie Hamill       10 Mehdi Taouil (39 mins for Rascale)     19 Gavin Skelton     29 Manuel Pascali       9 Allan Russell (46 mins for Gibson)   12 mins 20 David Fernandez (90 mins for Simmondsl)     11 Danny Invincibile     5,47 mins   Subs         27 Damien Rascale (39 mins for Taouil)     7 Craig Bryson         17 Willie Gibson (46 mins for Russell)     22 Tim Clancy         24 Iain Flannigan         33 Thomas Nolan         34 Donovan Simmonds (90 mins for Fernandez)       Legend         Complete Game Yellow / Red Card Goal Substitute On Substitute Off Penalty

Jim Jefferies Hibs Post Match Comments...  "We knew they were going to come at us after getting back to 2-2. But I said to them they will get chances to win the game. We were not getting beat so there was still a lot to play for. They took it on board. I sat them down after it and said, no disrespect to other teams and players but this is my seventh season and I don't think I've seen a finer performance. I was proud of every one of them and everyone at Kilmarnock should be. They should take great heart from that performance. I think it was a stonewall penalty , the second one, but it was never a sending off. The referee has confirmed to me that he didn't send him off because it was a goalscoring opportunity, he did it because it was a rash challenge. If he had been booked I would have accepted it but if he is putting it down as dangerous play we will appeal that." 

Danny Invincibile's Hibs Post Match Comments... "We might get back into the top six, which is what we want. We have got to try and get a run of three or four games to get back in the top six, which is what you need. Once you get there the belief is there, so I think that's what we are aiming for.  We have got a game in hand, against Aberdeen, and I am hoping we can win that.  You get a different mentality with 10 men,  You have to keep your shape and you have to keep your discipline. You have to concentrate more - whereas, with 11 men, you might try things and you might get punished for it. We knew what they could do. They have players that can punish you - but to our credit, I thought we did well and I think we deserved it in the end. It's annoying because we had control of the game. We were 2-0 up and coasting - and then we lose two penalties and get a man sent-off. We thought it was a little bit harsh, because we started the game really well."