Kilmarnock produced a fine second-half fightback against Hibernian to ensure their coffers swelled by an extra £70,000.

The Rugby Park side clinched fifth place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League as they leapfrogged Aberdeen, although the Easter Road club were the architects of their own downfall.

Jim Jefferies side triumphed 3-1 with second-half strikes from Steven Naismith, Gordon Greer and Colin Nish after Hibs had lead at the interval courtesy of a Steven Fletcher goal.

But Hibs capitulated in the second half and David Murphy received a red card in the 48th minute for handball and Naismith scored from the resultant penalty.

Five other Hibs players were booked while goalkeeper Zbigniew Malkowski also received his marching orders for two bookings for dissent.

Jim Jefferies side started brightly and were unfortunate not to take the lead after just two minutes.

Danny Invincibile swung in a cross from the right and Nish leapt above Gary Caldwell to bullet a header towards the top corner but Malkowski tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Just two minutes later, Hibs made the breakthrough with Fletcher grabbing his 10th goal of the season.

Paul Dalglish and Dean Shiels combined on the left flank to feed the ball into Fletcher.

The youngster showed great strength to hold of Frazer Wright then unleashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Killie should have been back on level terms after 14 minutes when Nish stole behind the Hibs defence but he sent his lob just wide.

Hibs were in the ascendancy but were unable to find a second goal despite dominating possession and were made to pay after the interval.

Kilmarnock were back on level terms within three minutes of the second half.

Invincibile got on the end of a Peter Leven corner and managed to nod the ball towards Nish.

The big striker had his back to goal but flicked the ball up and produced a stunning overhead-kick, which was blocked on the line by Murphy.

But the Hibs defender used his hand to prevent the ball crossing the line and conceded a penalty before being shown a red card.

Hibs had a shout for a penalty rejected when Greer tripped Fletcher.

Referee Freeland deemed the offence to be just outside the area to the annoyance of the Easter Road side and, from the free-kick, Combe did well to clutch Caldwell's low shot.

Kilmarnock took the lead in the 72nd minute through a stunning Greer strike.

Hibs were unable to clear Leven's free-kick and the ball fell to Greer who was lurking 10 yards from goal.

But the big defender produced a sensational finishing blasting an unstoppable volley past Malkowski.

Killie appeared to have wrapped up the points in the 74th minute as Nish grabbed the third with another stunning strike.

Another Leven free-kick was not properly dealt with by Hibs defence as Stephen Glass' attempted clearance went straight to Nish.

The striker gathered the ball on his chest, swivelled round and volleyed the ball into the top corner.

With three minutes remaining, Hibs were reduced to nine men as Malkowski was sent off.

The Hibs goalkeeper had already been booked after Killie's third goal, but then made a gesture to linesman Stuart Macauley when he failed to flag Nish for offside and received a second booking.

Teams:

Kilmarnock Combe, Fowler, Greer, Wright, Leven,Invincibile (Di Giacomo 84), Locke (Wilson 79), Johnston,Naismith, Nish, Wales (Murray 70).

Subs Not Used: Smith, McDonald, Campbell, O'Leary.

Goals: Naismith 48 pen, Greer 72, Nish 75.

Hibernian Malkowski, Shields, Caldwell, Konde, Murphy,Whittaker, Murray, Glass, Shiels (Brown 87),Fletcher (Campbell 68), Dalglish (Konte 76).

Subs Not Used: Gary Smith, Killen, Darren Smith, Lynch.

Sent Off: Murphy (48), Malkowski (87).

Booked: Konde, Shiels, Caldwell, Malkowski, Konte, Murray.

Goals: Fletcher 5.

Att: 5,732

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).