Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies had been forced into one change,
Barry McLaughlin replacing defender Greg Shields, who has returned to
Dunfermline.
Midfielder Eric Skora, who joined on loan from Preston, started on
the bench.
His manager Bobby Williamson also made one change, with youngster
Alan Reid replacing the injured Kevin Thomson in midfield.
He had 16-year-old Jamie McCluskey on the bench.
The visitors had the ball in the net in the first minute, but referee
Hugh Dallas blew for a foul after defender Colin Murdock headed in Derek
Riordan's corner.
Kilmarnock should have taken the lead in the 10th minute, when Jamie
Fowler set up striker Colin Nish six yards out only for Hibs goalkeeper
to turn the striker's mis-kick for a corner.
Riordan rounded Killie goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau, but defender
Freddy Dindeleux was on hand to knock the youngster's goalbound shot
away for a corner.
A Nish toe-poke at the other end beat Andersson but struck the post.
Kilmarnock had most possession, but a Riordan cross from the right
flashed across their six-yard box but with no Hibs player available to
capitalise.
World Cup referee Dallas had to go off with a calf injury after 39
minutes and was replaced by fourth official Brian Winter.
Hibs stunned the Ayrshire side with two goals in 60 seconds.
A Gary Smith free-kick after 48 minutes fell at the feet of Brown at
the back post and the young striker slammed the ball into the net from
close range.
Riordan supplied the second, breaking free on the right and, when his
cross came over, O'Connor struck the ball first time under Dubourdeau.
Skora was given his chance after 55 minutes, coming on with Danny
Invincibile and Kris Boyd, with Nish, McLaughlin and Fulton making way.
The Frenchman almost became an instant hero with the disgruntled home
supporters when his low drive from 25 yards troubled Andersson, but the
Hibs goalkeeper handled confidently at his right-hand post.
A Boyd free-kick from outside the box stung the hands of Andersson,
but he beat the ball away to safety.
It left was Hibs' first away league win of 2004 and left the Ayrshire
side still without a home win since Nov, and a meagre 2 home wins on the
season.
or break us!
