Killie hit late equaliser to deny Hibs a fourth league win in a row

Fraser Murray scored a last-minute equaliser as Kilmarnock snatched a 1-1 draw against Hibernian at Rugby Park to dent the visitors’ third-place ambitions.

Hibs looked to have secured a vital three points after Martin Boyle slotted home midway through the first half to cap off a devastating counter-attack after a Kilmarnock corner routine backfired.

Killie had created little all game in a disappointing performance but they grabbed an unlikely point as Murray prodded home after Joe Wright had headed back across goal.

Despite the late setback, Hibs still remain in third, while Kilmarnock stay 10th, with their top-six hopes all but ended.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes made three changes from his side’s 1-0 loss in Dingwall two weeks ago, bringing in Matty Kennedy, Danny Armstrong and Bobby Wales for David Watson, Liam Polworth and Bruce Anderson.

Hibs boss David Gray had seen his side’s remarkable 15-game unbeaten run ended by Celtic last week and he also made three alterations from that defeat as Josh Campbell, Nathan Moriah-Welsh and the injured Nicky Cadden made way for Dylan Levitt, Jordan Obita and Junior Hoilett.

After a cagey opening 20 minutes it was the hosts who had the first chance of note as Marley Watkins latched onto a loose ball in the box and tried a curling effort from 12 yards that was deflected narrowly wide.

Hibs had not threatened in the first half until they stunned the home side in the 25th minute as a Kilmarnock short-corner routine went wrong.

Murray’s low pass was met by a Danny Armstrong shot but the effort was charged down and, with Killie having over-committed, the loose ball broke to Dylan Levitt who drove the length of the field before passing to Boyle.

The winger then showed composure to side-foot the ball beyond the onrushing Robby McCrorie as the visitors took the lead.

The goal failed to spark a poor game into life, however, and neither side was able to muster any opportunities until seconds before half-time when Nectarios Triantis volleyed just wide from the edge of the box.

It was Hibs who then had the first chance of the second period as Boyle drove forward and unleashed a low shot that was parried away by McCrorie.

Killie had their best opportunity of the game in the 48th minute as Bobby Wales swivelled before volleying straight at Jordan Smith from eight yards out.

Hibs were still looking the more likely scorers though and they had two chances in the 66th minute as the lively Boyle flicked Hoilett’s cross over the bar before setting up Levitt who drove the ball wide from the edge of the area.

Triantis then shot straight at McCrorie when well placed two minutes later as the Edinburgh side looked to make the game safe.

The home side thought they had levelled with 10 minutes remaining as substitute Anderson coolly slotted home Corrie Ndaba’s precise through-ball but an offside flag curtailed the celebrations.

It appeared as if that would be as close as Kilmarnock would come until stoppage time when Liam Polworth’s deep cross was met by Wright and, although Murray failed to connect cleanly, his shot took a slight deflection off Rocky Bushiri before finding the net to earn the home side a dramatic point.