Substitute Myziane Maolida scored a late equaliser as Hibernian came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with 10-player Kilmarnock in an entertaining Scottish Premiership match at Rugby Park.
The hosts took a first-half lead when striker Dylan Vente inadvertently headed Danny Armstrong’s cross into his own goal and Killie extended their advantage early in the second period as another Armstrong inswinger was steered in by Matty Kennedy.
Joe Newell’s spectacular volley reduced the deficit before Corrie Ndaba saw red for the hosts with 20 minutes remaining after catching Jair Tavares on the ankle.
And the home side were unable to hold on, as Maolida latched on to a long ball before firing home to salvage a point for Hibs in a game in which they were second-best for long periods.
How the thriller at Rugby Park unfolded
Hibernian’s Myziane Maolida scored a late equaliser at Rugby Park
After a three-minute delay owing to VAR connection issues, the game began in an open fashion, with David Watson whistling a fierce drive over in the opening minute and Vente firing a low shot narrowly wide moments later.
The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute after Hibs failed to clear their lines from a corner. Armstrong collected the ball before curling in an inswinging cross from the right that Vente could only divert past his own goalkeeper.
Kilmarnock’s Corrie Nbada celebrates with team-mates after Hibernian’s Dylan Vente scored an own goal
It should have been 2-0 moments later as Kennedy was released one-on-one with David Marshall but the winger prodded a tame effort wide of the right post.
Hibernian had been poor but they almost grabbed a leveller on the stroke of half-time as home goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara was forced to palm away a Emiliano Marcondes effort from eight yards.
The visitors also spurned another golden chance just a minute into the second period when Tavares was released by Vente’s flicked header but the Portuguese winger took too long, allowing Stuart Findlay to make a crucial last-ditch sliding tackle.
Hibs were soon made to pay for those missed opportunities as Kilmarnock extended their lead in the 54th minute. Armstrong was the architect again, delivering another inch-perfect cross that Kennedy expertly slid past Marshall.
Matty Kennedy celebrates with Marley Watkins after putting Kilmarnock two goals up
The hosts looked to get back into the game and Killie keeper O’Hara made a brilliant one-handed stop in the 58th minute to deny Tavares.
O’Hara was helpless minutes later, however, as the away side got themselves back into the game. It was their best move of the match, with Marcondes and Dylan Levitt combining in midfield to release Rory Whittaker, whose deflected cross was steered wonderfully into the top corner by Newell from the edge of the box.
Hibs were almost level just seconds later as the ball was cut back to Marcondes but O’Hara again saved well, with his feet this time.
Ndaba was then given his marching orders in the 71st minute, with referee Grant Irvine giving the red card after being recommended by VAR to consult the pitchside monitor.
And Hibs’ numerical advantage told when Maolida controlled Levitt’s hopeful long ball before firing through bodies past O’Hara with nine minutes remaining.
It could have got even better for the visitors but Christian Doidge’s late header landed just wide as an entertaining game ended in a draw.
McInnes furious with red card decision
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes criticised referee Grant Irvine’s decision to send off Corrie Ndaba.
He said: “For Nick Walsh and VAR to get involved in that, I find it disappointing and strange. Unless there is a different angle I’ve not seen, it’s not dangerous or violent.
“He’s not high, he’s not going in at excessive speed or going in to hurt the boy. Yes, there is a follow through but what is Corrie meant to do?
“It’s not his fault Tavares’ leg is there but he’s not tried to stamp or anything – he’s won the ball. I don’t even think it’s a yellow card. The ref did and that should have sufficed.
“It changed the course of the game. Hibs might have been good enough to get something out of the game. Joe Newell scores an unbelievable goal and it gave them a lifeline. But the red card also gave them a bigger lift.
“Whether VAR has gone for or against me, I have always said the same thing. Let the referee ref the game. Don’t get involved unless you really need to – and I have not seen that with this challenge.
“This wasn’t what VAR was meant for. It was for the big decisions. The referees are not being referees any more. They are not getting the chance to referee what they see.”
Montgomery: We’ll take confidence from result
Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery was full of praise for the character of his side.
He said: “The second goal came totally against the run of play and it’s disappointing to concede that goal but from that point you either crumble or you stand big and I thought there were some really big performances in that second half.
“The first goal gave us belief and Myziane when he came on – you can see the guy is a top-quality player. He needs to get fit, he’s not played since November but he caused all sorts of problems and deserved his goal.
“It was actually really disappointing not to come away with the three points. (Christian) Doidge has an open goal at the end and that’s his bread and butter – looks like it’s going in then just drops wide.
“We’ll take the point though. It’s a difficult place to come and we’ll take that confidence.”
What’s next?
Kilmarnock’s next Scottish Premiership match is away to Motherwell on February 3, Hibs host St Mirren on the same day.
Both games kick off at 3pm.