Hibs squander two-goal lead and share points with Kilmarnock
David Gray made three changes to the starting XI that beat Partizan Belgrade 2-0 on Thursday night in Serbia in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier.
Scotland international Grant Hanley made his debut alongside Junior Hoilett and Elie Youan who replaced Jack Iredale, Chris Cadden and Martin Boyle.
Hibs started on the front foot and after creating a number of early chances opened the scoring from a free-kick near the byeline.
Jamie McGrath fizzed a cross to the back post and Rocky Bushiri was on hand to head the ball into the net.
The hosts then doubled their advantage when Junior Hoilett's wonderful through ball found Youan who slotted the ball past the keeper.
Hibs looked comfortable but just before half-time, Killie striker Marcus Dackers turned two defenders to get to the byeline, before finding Liam Polworth who scored from close range.
That goal buoyed the visitors and the equaliser arrived shortly after the restart.
A corner was headed away but only as far as Ben Brannan, who volleyed a contender for goal of the season brilliantly over Jordan Smith and into the corner from 25 yards.
The visitors had the better of the second half with Smith looking nervy, but Brannan's effort was the final goal of the game
Hibs host Partizan Belgrade on Thursday night at Easter Road, in the second leg of their Conference League third round qualifier.
After the final whistle Gray told BBC Scotland: 'It was certainly, in terms of our level, a game of two halves.
'First half, very good. Started very well, a lot of good play within that. But we lost a goal just before half time through a lack of concentration.
'Second half, we were nowhere near the level we were. The second goal is a wonderstrike, but we needed to be better in how we reacted.
'It's a bit of everything – big moments in games, the momentum shifts, your opponent gets confidence from that. We gave them confidence with individual errors, created anxiety in situations. A lot of the chances we gave up were self-inflicted.'
Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell told BBC Scotland: '[Brannan's strike] will be spoken about for quite some time. It's some strike, it's unbelievable. We had some other real good moments and spooked Hibs at the back.
'The goal aside, Ben is 18. We gave him his debut, we knew he was talented. I'll not get carried away, he's playing out of position, and he's embraced the whole situation. He's taken everything in his stride and you need that emotional intelligence to give yourself a chance.'
Hibs: Smith, Hanley, O'Hora, Levitt, Youan, Bowie, McGrath, Mulligan. Obita, Hoilett, Bushiri
Subs: Salinger, Manneh, Boyle, Cadden, Iredale, Klidje, Megwa, McIntyre, Campbell
Kilmarnock: Stryjek, Brandon, Mayo,Deas, McKenzie, Dackers, Watson, Brown, Brannan, Daniels, Polworth
Subs: Beach, Thompson, David, Kiltie, Anderson, Thomson, Watkins, Traynor
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