Benjelloun struck late to seal the victory

A penalty six minutes from time by Abdessalam Benjelloun gave Hibernian the win that cements their third place in the Scottish Premier League.

Kilmarnock's Ryan O'Leary hit the post in four minutes and Graham Stack saved Conor Sammon's shot from the rebound.

Derek Riordan offered the most potent goalscoring threat for the Easter Road side as he peppered Kilmarnock keeper Mark Brown's goal with shots.

Gavin Skelton fouled Benjelloun and the Moroccan converted from the spot.

Kilmarnock had the first chance in the Easter Road sunshine.

Hibernian goalkeeper Stack blocked a weak effort by Sammon after O'Leary's shot had bounced off the post and found the Killie striker ill-prepared to pounce from three yards out.

Two pieces of skill in the first 20 minutes Riordan showed the form that persuaded George Burley to include him in the Scotland squad for Japan.

First he cracked a shot just over the bar from outside the box, then left Danny Invincibile chasing shadows as he cut inside from the left wing and fired into the side netting.

Despite this being an open match, Brown had only one save to make in the first half, a shot from Benjelloun, who later was inches away from connecting with an Anthony Stokes knock-down in front of goal.

For Kilmarnock, Jamie Hamill ran clear of Kevin McBride and fired in a wonderful curling shot in 36 minutes which went just wide of Stack's post.

Frazer Wright, having recovered from a knock to make the starting line-up, was tremendous at the back for Jim Jefferies' side.

Time after time he put his body between the Hibs strikers and goal as the home side pushed for the points that would cement their third place in the league.

If his bravery was commendable, Wright's timing in the tackle was exemplary.

As Zemmama galloped towards Brown's goal, the Killie defender, rather than commit himself too early, tracked the run of the Moroccan and cleared the danger without breaking sweat.

With the Leith faithful urging their team forward, Riordan, sticking to the left flank, looked their best bet for a goal.

In 72 minutes he forced a save from Brown from 18 yards, then five minutes later a swerving effort had the Killie number one flummoxed but relieved to see the ball go over his bar.

Skelton conceded a penalty by fouling Benjelloun with seven minutes to go and, after a debate with Zemmama over who should take the spot kick, Benjelloun stepped up to score his 18th goal in 76 appearances.

Hibernian manager John Hughes: "Having missed our last few penalties through Derek, Benji took responsibility and I'm delighted he slotted it away.

"I thought we might have had one before it. There was a handball in there.

"In the last 20 minutes of the game it was the Zemmama show.

"Since I've come to the club I think we're 75% of where I want to be. I think I've got mavericks in the team. They can win a game in an instant but fundamentally, if we're not working hard, we're capable of getting beaten.

"We've got good competition for places."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies: "The penalty decision was harsh. Benji and the crowd got them it. A couple of Hibs players came off the park saying it wasn't one.

"First half, we were the better side. We made some good chances but we've not been putting the ball in the net.

"They didn't make Mark Brown make a save in the second half.

"Overall we're disappointed because it's hard to lose a game that you've put a lot into. We deserved a point today.

"It's ironic that the referee doesn't give a decision when (Shaun) Maloney goes over (David) Weir in the Old Firm game a couple of weeks ago yet he gives a decision like that.

"We're sick, every point in this league is tough and it has been taken away from us by somebody who will wake up in the morning and it will not matter two hoots to him."

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