Battling Killie bemoan two points dropped
kilmarnock 2 Jones (57), Boyd (61) hibs 2 Kamberi (1), Porteous (9)
Rugby Park boss Steve Clarke was probably the only spectator who left Kilmarnock disappointed yesterday.
Almost every paying customer stayed to applaud the players after one of the most entertaining matches seen at Rugby Park for many years.
The home side came back to get a draw after losing a goal in only 27 seconds and being two down before 10 minutes were on the clock.
They really should have taken all three points after dominating possession and having 20 shots on goal.
The result means Killie have only lost one match in their last 13 but Clarke is a hard man to please.
He said: “I was disappointed to drop two points in a game we should have won because we were the better team almost from start to finish.
“It was a really disappointing start but we recovered well and played a lot of good stuff.
“The first goal is really poor, a throw-in in front of the dugout and five seconds later the ball’s in the net.
“And then they get a free header from a corner. It shouldn’t happen.
“We should have won the game, though, we were the best team by a mile.
“I think we’ve shown since I’ve been at the club the spirit is good and we react to adversity.
“But the overriding feeling is disappointment as we’ve dropped two points at home.”
If this had been a boxing match then Killie would definitely have won on points.
They forced 16 corners compared to Hibs’ four and forced the Edinburgh men to commit 18 fouls, compared to the home side’s six.
The match started in incredible fashion when a deflected show spun into the path of Swiss striker Florian Kamberi and he prodded the ball home.
Hibs were further ahead shortly afterwards when Ryan Porteous was allowed to jump unchallenged and head home a corner.
The 18-year-old was only in the team because Paul Hanlon’s wife had given birth to a baby boy on Friday night.
At this point it looked like the Kilmarnock bubble had well and truly burst.
However, the Ayrshire side work from their early slumber and proceeded to batter Hibs for an hour.
They were pressing hard for a goal before half-time but the fans had to wait until the second half for something to cheer. It was a goal well worth the wait. Jordan Jones caught the ball as sweetly as he ever has and his shot from the left went flying past Marciano in the visitors’ goal.
It was one of those strikes that truly takes the breath away.
The equaliser was rather more controversial.
Killie were awarded a penalty when referee Kevin Clancy ruled that Porteous had handled a shot by Alan Power.
Hibs were hugely aggrieved by the award and Neil Lennon was sent to the stand for his protests after the kick had been taken.
Kris Boyd’s effort from the spot was saved but the veteran striker followed up to bundle his 16th goal of the season over the line.
From that point onward it was virtually one-way traffic towards Hibs’ goalmouth.
There were umpteen close shaves and Marciano earned his team a point with a wonderful save from a Mulumbu shot.
Mulumbu’s performance summed up the will to win that exists in this Kilmarnock team.
He’s only on a short-term contract but was up front chasing down the ball in added-on time.
Players don’t always like to acclaim their goals but Jordan Jones didn’t hesitate to agree his strike was the best of his career so far.
He said: “I had a decent shot when we played them last time and it was tipped over the bar. “Thankfully it went in this time. “We’re disappointed because we feel like that’s two points dropped because of a sloppy first 15 minutes.
“I don’t know why we were so poor but the lads have got unbelievable character and we showed it again today.”