On a fine afternoon in Edinburgh it was the Kilmarnock fans who left Easter Road singing their players praises after securing Premiership status with a 1-0 victory.
The Hibs support on the other hand were furious with their side and the cacophony of jeers at the final whistle were in stark contrast to the noise which they made for the first 60 minutes or so.
After match protests calling for the head of chairman Rod Petrie and gaffer Terry Butcher signalled much unrest amongst the natives.
It was all the same old story for Hibs on the park. They dominated proceedings throughout the first period yet were caught with a sucker punch two minutes before the break when Killie dangerman Kris Boyd was left in acres of space and fired home past a helpless Ben Williams.
Prior to Boyd’s strike Hibs looked up for the fight and pushed continually forward with Paul Heffernan starting alongside James Collins as Butcher ditched his much maligned and unsuccessful 4-5-1 formation.
Despite having a lot of the ball in and around the visitors final third, clear cut chances were at a premium.
There was a Sam Stanton free kick from 20 yards out and centre of the goal which he skied prior to Scott Robertson seeing his effort well saved by Samson.
Hibs had what looked a genuine case for a penalty waved away by Craig Thomson when Michael Nelson was hauled to the ground but it wasn’t to be on an afternoon of frustration for the Easter Road side.
Hibs fans hoping for a cavalry charge from their side in the second period were left bemused as they found their side chasing Killie and it was the visitors who should have increased their lead when Boyd’s header was superbly saved by Williams.
The Ayrshire men dictated the pace for the majority of the half but nearly saw a dramatic finale when Liam Craig’s 20 yarder crashed off the underside of the bar to safety.
It was a moment which almost typified Hibs lack of fortune this campaign.
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