Kilmarnock came back from two behind to snatch a dramatic late equaliser at Easter Road.

Hibernian were leading 2-0 after a James Fowler own goal put them in a commanding position on 63 minutes following Eduardo Hurtado's strike in the first half.

Crucially, though, the visitors struck back almost immediately when former Celtic striker Tommy Johnson scored with a spectacular volley two minutes later.

And Hibs' failure to convert their chances came back to haunt them in the final minute.

Craig Dargo sent a decent cross into the Hibernian box, which both Killie defender Kevin McGowne and substitute Kris Boyd jumped for.

And it was Kilmarnock striker Boyd who got the vital touch to send the ball flying into the right corner past the despairing dive from Nick Colgan and grab a share of the spoils.

The visitors had opened the game very brightly and Colgan was forced into action after just 42 seconds when he dived down to his right to parry a 20-yard effort from Paul di Giacomo.

Then Ulrik Laursen produced a great tackle eight yards out to prevent Peter Canero from getting in a shot.

Johnson was making his first start for Kilmarnock and on seven minutes he was well off target.

Then at the other end, Alen Orman forced Killie keeper Gordon Marshall into a save from an acute angle.

Hibs went in front in the 11th minute after defender Gary Smith caught out the Kilmarnock defence with a magnificent long ball which sent Hurtado clear on the left.

The Ecuador striker kept his cool and fired past Marshall into the right corner.

Kilmarnock had been playing good football in the middle of the park, but the home side were nearly two goals to the good on 24 minutes, as Marshall made a great save to deny Hurtado a second.

The Edinburgh side went close again with two chances in quick succession.

Firstly, Paco Luna drove a dangerous ball across the face of goal with no takers and then McGowne got in a good tackle on Luna inside the six-yard box after a Hurtado cross.

Johnson nearly opened his Kilmarnock account on 36 minutes after meeting a precise Canero cross, but just missed as the ball skimmed the post.

Substitute Ulises de la Cruz was looking in the mood after the break, with the South American perhaps feeling he had a point to prove after starting on the Hibs bench.

Hibs early second-half pressure paid off in the 63rd minute with a bizarre goal.

After Marshall failed to gather, Garry O'Connor completely miss-hit his shot which was going wide, but the ball hit Kilmarnock defender Fowler and was diverted into the net from six yards.

Kilmarnock's reply was instant with a spectacular volley on 65 minutes from Johnson after a cross from Alan Mahood.

Hibs were trying to finish the contest and missed several chances in the last 20 minutes.

O'Connor was denied by Marshall in the 70th minute and then with 10 minutes to go, the Killie keeper made a brilliant point-blank save from the young substitute.

Colgan made a brilliant save coming out to block from Boyd with four minutes to go.

But Boyd was not to be denied as he made Hibs pay for failing to finish off their opponents.

Teams:

Hibernian: Colgan, Fenwick, Smith, Murray, Orman (De la Cruz 43), Brebner, Jack, Townsley, Laursen, Luna (O'Connor 57), Hurtado (Riordan 77).

Subs Not Used: Caig, Andrews.

Booked: Orman, Jack.

Goals: Hurtado 11, Fowler 63 og.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, McGowne, Dindeleux (Hessey 69), Hay, Mitchell, Fowler, Mahood, Murray (Boyd 79), Di Giacomo (Dargo 13), Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Samson, Calderon.

Goals: Johnson 65, Boyd 90.

Att: 9,592

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).