Teenager Ben Brannan scored an audacious equaliser as Kilmarnock fought back from two down to draw 2-2 away to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
The Hibees looked to be easing towards victory after goals from Rocky Bushiri and Elie Youan in the opening half-hour, but they were brought back down to earth following their memorable Conference League exploits in Serbia on Thursday.
Killie, who squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Livingston in their league opener, hit back late in the first half through Liam Polworth before 18-year-old Brannan volleyed home early in the second period to secure a point.
Hibs boss David Gray made three changes to the side that started Thursday’s 2-0 away win over Partizan Belgrade as Jack Iredale, Chris Cadden and Martin Boyle dropped to the bench.
Scotland defender Grant Hanley was given his debut and Youan, having recovered from long-term injury, made his first start since the Boxing Day win at Hearts, while Junior Hoilett was restored.
There were also three changes to the Killie team that kicked off the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Livingston as Robbie Deas, Rory McKenzie and debutant defender Ethan Brown replaced Brad Lyons, George Stanger and Tom Lowery.
Hibs started strongly, with Hoilett shooting just wide after a brilliant piece of skill on the edge of box.
At the other end, Marcus Dackers glanced a header wide from Brannan’s cross.
The hosts made the breakthrough in the 20th minute when Jamie McGrath fizzed a powerful free-kick from the left towards Bushiri at the back post and the defender powered home his header from close range.
Hibs doubled their lead seven minutes later when Hoilett sent Youan clean through and the forward fired past Max Stryjek from 10 yards for his first goal since netting away to Aberdeen the weekend before Christmas.
The Edinburgh side looked to be coasting and Josh Mulligan almost added a third when he drove into box and sent an angled shot just beyond the far post.
But Killie, having been on the back foot for most of the first half, got themselves back in the game in the 45th minute when Polworth forced home a shot from seven yards after excellent work on the left by Dackers to set him up.
The visitors signalled their renewed intent when Dackers went close with a header less than a minute into the second period.
And they drew level in the 48th minute when Brannan unleashed a sensational dipping volley from 25 yards that looped over Jordan Smith after Polworth’s corner from the right had been headed out by Hoilett.
The managers…
David Gray lamented Hibernian’s drop-off in performance after they let a two-goal lead slip.
“It was hugely frustrating, but certainly a game of two halves in terms of our level of performance as well,” said manager Gray.
“We started the game really well and for 44 of the 45 minutes in the first half I thought we were very good and dominated the game.
“But we lost a really poor goal and it just gave a little bit of momentum to Kilmarnock going in at half-time and then it’s a wonder goal to get it back to 2-2.
“Our level of performance from that moment on was certainly a lot lower than it was in the first half. It certainly feels like two points dropped because of being 2-0 up in the game and how dominant we were in the first half.”
Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell praised Brannan’s presence of mind to attempt the audacious strike that brought the equaliser.
“I think in modern football a lot of the time what we see is players in that scenario trying to take a touch and trying to shift it wide, but I just love that personality and that imagination to take it on and he executes it,” said the manager.
“When you come here and find yourselves 2-0 down at the best of times, you’re in trouble, but especially when Hibs are playing the way they are, that’s carried over from last season.
“We could have gone under, we could have felt sorry for ourselves, but I think the players showed their personality.”
