Former Hearts striker Gary McSwegan returned to haunt Hibernian with a devastating four-goal haul for Kilmarnock.

The ex-Scotland international struck four times to leave former Rugby Park boss Bobby Williamson reeling.

Gary McDonald opened the scoring for the home side in the 11th minute.

But Scotland Under-21 international Ian Murray struck an equaliser just seven minutes later against Killie debutant goalkeeper Colin Stewart.

McSwegan then began his personal haul in the 24th minute before adding a second and third either side of the break.

The ex-Tynecastle favourite completed his tally with a 62nd-minute strike before being replaced by Kris Boyd.

Matthias Jack struck a consolation for the visitors seven minutes before the end.

However, the home side were not finished and Boyd drove home a penalty in the final minute after being felled himself by Paul Fenwick.

There had been little to get excited about in the opening period with the visitors struggling to stamp their authority in the middle of the park.

But, with only 11 minutes on the clock, the Rugby Park side opened the scoring with a terrific goal.

Midfielder Steve Fulton set up the opportunity for 20-year-old McDonald to lash the ball past Nick Colgan for his first ever goal.

Tom McManus was denied an equaliser three minutes later when Stewart dived to his right to turn the striker's header round the post.

But Hibs were soon back on level terms when Murray slotted the ball low into the net after a Jack pass split the home defence.

The goal action continued in the 24th minute when McSwegan scored with a crisp left-foot shot after latching onto a Chris Innes header.

Innes then reverted to his normal defensive role to clear a Derek Riordan shot as the ball ran towards the net.

Then, with three minutes of the first period left, McSwegan struck again with another low drive after the Hibs' defence failed to clear an Alan Mahood cross.

And things got even worse for the visitors within two minutes of the re-start with McSwegan scoring again to grab his first hat-trick for the Ayrshire side.

The former Hearts man rose unchallenged at the back post to head an Andy McLaren cross into an empty net.

A minute later, with the Hibs' defence in turmoil, McDonald blasted the ball high into the stand with the goal at his mercy.

Hibs' problems increased in 50 minutes when Craig James was stretchered off with a leg injury to be replaced by substitute Fenwick.

Then, in the 62nd minute, McSwegan was in the right spot again for his fourth goal, tapping home Peter Canero's pass at the back post.

Fifteen minutes from the end, the four-goal striker left the field to tremendous applause from the home support with Boyd coming on in his place.

With seven minutes remaining, Jack scored a late consolation goal for Hibs with a snapshot from 15 yards which went in off the post.

But Killie restored their four-goal advantage when Boyd converted a penalty in the 89th minute after he being tripped in the box by Fenwick.

Teams

Kilmarnock: Stewart, Shields, Innes, Dindeleux, Canero, McDonald, Fulton (Locke 87), Mahood, Fowler, McSwegan (Boyd 77), McLaren (Murray 90).

Subs Not Used: Marshall, McLaughlin.

Goals: McDonald 11, McSwegan 24, 42, 47, 62, Boyd 90 pen.

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Doumbe, Jack, James (Fenwick 50), Brebner (Arpinon 55), Murray, O'Neil, Matyus (O'Connor 55), Riordan, McManus.

Subs Not Used: Andersson, Townsley.

Booked: Murray, Brebner, Arpinon.

Goals: Murray 18, Jack 83.

Att: 5,558

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).