Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian

Aug 10 2008 Ewan Smith At Rugby Park

JIM JEFFERIES watched Jamie Hamill get Killie off to a winning start - then insisted a few more victories would silence the critics who have tipped his side for relegation. The midfielder leapt off the bench to blast an 80th-minute winner from 20 yards to ensure the Rugby Park outfit got their campaign off to a flier.

And while Jefferies knows there is a long way to go before Killie ensure their SPL survival, he believes more of the same will see his side retain their top-flight status.

The Kilmarnock boss said: "It was a fantastic game with teams playing with a pace and determination to win - and thankfully we came out on top.

"I always felt it was going to take just one goal to settle it - and Jamie's strike was worthy of winning any game.

"Hopefully a few more displays like that and wins like that will shut up those people who are going on about us being favourites for relegation."

This match had been billed as an early relegation clash between teams that struggled for form in pre-season.

But the critics who have written off these sides as SPL strugglers should have taken in this highly-entertaining clash.

Effort? Check. Skill? Check. Fast free-flowing football? Double check. In short - it ticked all the boxes.

Even in defeat Hibs showed real signs they can be a potent force.

They passed the ball well, created an abundance of chances and showed real effort and determination.

Key to Mixu Paatelainen's side's hopes this season is striker Steven Fletcher whose confident performance showed just why he is a target for Real Madrid.

If only his strike partner Colin Nish could learn to finish then Hibs could have put this game to bed before Hamill's winner.

Not that Killie weren't right in the thick of the action. They took the game to Hibs for long spells and could well have found themselves ahead inside three minutes.

Midfielder Craig Bryson did well to steal a yard inside the box but his shot was straight at Andy McNeil.

Two minutes later Killie's new Italian midfield signing Manuel Pascali made his first impact on Scottish football with a late lunge on David Van Zanten that earned him a yellow card.

At the other end Hibs were looking hungry and Dean Shiels got himself in a great position 20 yards out but hit a weak effort straight at Alan Combe.

Hibs should have taken the lead in 17 minutes when Fletcher pounced on Garry Hay's slack passback before squaring to Nish.

The hitman had time to pick his spot from 15 yards but was far too casual with his effort and fired in to the hands of Combe.

The same pairing combined two minutes later with Nish this time setting up Fletcher.

The Hibs star showed superb control to juggle the ball over the head of Simon Ford but Combe did brilliantly to push Fletcher's close-range effort wide.

Medhi Taouil had one final chance to break the deadlock before the break but the midfielder's ambitious 30-yard strike was turned over by McNeil.

The second half was just as exciting as the opening 45 minutes with Fletcher having the first chance, a swerving, dipping free-kick that went inches over.

Hibs were then denied a penalty amid claims Shiels had been tripped in the box by Pascali.

The Easter Road side were dealt a further blow with the exit of Van Zanten in 74 minutes.

The defender came off worst in a clash of heads with Ford and he spent 13 minutes on the sidelines without being replaced as Hibs had already used all their subs.

With the full-back out of action Hibs were down to 10 men and Killie took full advantage with Hamill latching on to a David Fernandez lay off to blast a low shot into the corner of the net.

Hamill said: "I'm delighted with the goal. It was one of my first touches in the game and I caught it well. But it's more about the team winning than me scoring."

REF MATCH

CALUM MURRAY stamped his authority all over the game with an early booking for Italian midfielder Manuel Pascali. Continued to keep the game in check but was often a little late with his whistle. Was well positioned for the penalty claim and rightly turned it down. Rating: 6/10.

MATCH STATS

KILMARNOCK

Shots on 5

Shots off 6

Fouls 0

Offside 9

Corners 10

Bookings 1

HIBS

Shots on 1

Shots off 10

Fouls 5

Offside 12

Corners 4

Bookings 2