Kilmarnock saw their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Cup suffer a set-back as they left Easter Road with just a point.

The draw means that nearest rivals Hearts can draw level on Sunday night if they manage a win against Celtic at Parkhead.

Killie looked to have taken a step closer to Europe when Christophe Cocard gave them the lead against Hibernian after just 11 minutes.

But Hibs pushed for the leveller and were rewarded when Marc Libbra netted in the 34th minute - throwing the race for a UEFA Cup berth wide open ahead of Killie's clash with Hearts on Friday.

With Scottish Cup final places up for grabs, Hibs manager Alex McLeish decided to give some of his fringe players a chance and included Libbra, Tom McManus and Freddy Arpinon in the starting line-up.

But it was Killie who started the better team, when Cocard had the chance to put them ahead after just three minutes. But the shot deflected off Franck Sauzee.

Hibs retaliated a minute later when Libbra pin-pointed McManus in the box but goalkeeper Colin Meldrum managed to deny the youngster.

Andy McLaren did well to take the ball round Stuart Lovell and looked like he might grab the opener for Kilmarnock with a superbly struck shot that flew just over the crossbar.

But Cocard had more luck and gave the visitors the lead after just 11 minutes.

The Frenchman exchanged a neat one-two with Antonio Calderon before firing the opener past goalkeeper Nick Colgan from 20 yards.

McLaren almost doubled the Rugby Park side's lead two minutes later but again sent the ball just over the crossbar.

Alan Mahood tried to set up goalscorer Cocard for his second of the day but the shot was weak and easily held by the goalkeeper.

Skipper Sauzee had the chance to level with a free-kick just outside the 18 yard box but his shot only got as far as the Kilmarnock wall.

But the Easter Road side were eventually rewarded for their efforts after 34 minutes.

Arpinon sent a superb cross from the right wing into the path of Libbra who slammed home home from close-range.

Kilmarnock started the second half with just as much determination as they showed in the opening stages of the game and they could have been ahead just two minutes after the re-start.

Calderon fired the ball into the path of McLaren but he nodded just wide.

Hibs looked certain to add to their goal tally a minute later when Libbra sent the ball into the path of Mathias Jack.

Even though it looked easier to score, the Hibs player somehow managed to send the ball over from just a few yards out.

The home side came close again after 55 minutes when Sauzee's free-kick was met by Paul Fenwick at the back post but the former Morton player cannoned the ball off the goalkeeper.

McLaren was proving to be a constant threat for Kilmarnock and he went on a great run down the right flank before firing the ball just wide after 63 minutes.

Mixu Paatelainen had replaced McManus just after the hour mark and he tried to make his presence felt in 74 minutes but the big Finn fired well over the crossbar.

Fellow substitute Dirk Lehmann also came close for the home side and could have killed off the game five minutes from time but his header was blocked by Meldrum.

Teams

Hibernian: Colgan, Sauzee, Lovell (Lehmann 81), Gary Smith, Jack, Fenwick, Murray, O'Neil, Arpinion, Libbra (Zitelli 84), McManus (Paatelainen 64).

Subs Not Used: Westwater, Brebner.

Goals: Libbra 35.

Kilmarnock: Meldrum, MacPherson, McGowne, Cocard (McCoist 89), Mitchell, Mahood, Dindeleux, McLaren, Innes, Calderon (Fowler 89), Hay.

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Reilly, Canero.

Booked: Calderon, McGowne, Mahood, Innes.

Goals: Cocard 11.

Att: 8,224

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).