Hib's had the better of the first half but Killie keeper Alan Combe made a number of fine saves to deny the lively Hibs forwards. Kiliie always looked dangerous on the break however!

Tom McManus squandered the best of the chances that fell Hibs' way, shooting straight at Combe from close range.

But Hibs ran out of ideas in the second period and the Kilmarnock defence held out comfortably.

New Hibernian manager Tony Mowbray blooded three summer signings, with Simon Brown, Guillaume Beuzelin and David Murphy starting.

Killie boss Jim Jefferies gave Combe his first league start along with ex-Hearts forward Gary Wales.

There was a minute's silence before the match for legendary Hibernian striker Gordon Smith, who passed away on Saturday morning.

The tiny winger's cross was perfect for Boyd but last season's top scorer headed wide.

The match was flowing from end-to-end and McManus had a golden chance to open the scoring on 23 minutes.

Murphy's terrific diagonal ball was controlled superbly but the hitman's left-foot effort was saved by Combe.

Killie's keeper was having an outstanding match and pulled off another wonder block from McManus on the half hour.

The striker's flashing strike looked goal-bound but Combe somehow kept it out and then clawed the ball away from the lurking Brebner.

Kilmarnock had the last chance of the half but Danny Invincibile wasted a good opening when he blazed over the bar.

Rugby Park chief Jefferies made a change at the break, bringing on French midfielder Eric Joly for captain Locke.

The change seemed to spark them into life and they should have been given a penalty after 50 minutes.

Wales wriggled free in the box and as Murdock fell to the ground he clearly handled the ball. Killie's players protested but Freeland waved play on to the fury of Jefferies and Billy Brown.

Tiny wide man Murray was anonymous in the second half and was replaced on 65 minutes by Peter Leven.

The former Rangers kid brought a much needed spark to a game that was wilting in the heat.

Both sets of players seemed dead on their feet and a goal would have knocked the stuffing out of either side.

Killie brought on Craig Dargo to help lift the pace and the hitman had an immediate impact.

He raced clear of Murdock and the big Irishman had to tug his shirt just outside the box

Kris Boyd  (left) stepped up and smashed in a 20-yard free kick that Brown got a hand to but could not prevent from hitting the net.

 It was a piece of bad luck for Mowbray's side but the travelling fans weren't complaining as they ball nestled home right in front of them.

Instead of prompting Hibs to go in search of an equaliser Boyd's goal saw Killie try to extend their lead.

The scorer himself went close again when Brown parried his shot from the edge of the box.

Invincibile then wasted another good chance when he fired wide in the box after good build up play on the right.

Combe had to twice come off his line to first deny Hibs replacement Sam Morrow and then Stephen Glass as a tired home team tried to find a way back.

Craig Dargo almost doubled the visitors' lead in the 88th minute but Brown got down well to push away the striker's low shot.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Locke (Joly, 45 mins), Lilley, McDonald, Dindeleux, Hay, Invincibile,  Murray (Leven, 63 mins), Boyd, Wales ( Dargo, 70 mins)

Subs: Smith, Dilion. Dodds.

Attendance: 10,933