Kilmarnock striker Michel Ngonge ensured a rough return for former Rugby Park manager Bobby Williamson.

The former Watford striker struck the only goal of the game in the 18th minute to ensure victory over Williamson's Hibernian side.

The home fans gave a mixed reception to their former boss who was making his first visit to Ayrshire since leaving to join the Edinburgh club.

The game began at a cracking pace with Killie having the best of the opening exchanges.

In front of the watching Scotland boss Berti Vogts, Craig Dargo almost got the Ayrshire side off to a dream start with a vicious volley from 18 yards that rattled Tony Caig's crossbar.

But the visitors looked dangerous on the break and Peter Canero got in a saving tackle to prod the ball away as Garry O'Connor was about to shoot.

But Killie went ahead after 17 minutes with a terrific goal.

Jesus Sanjuan split the Hibs defence with a ball out wide on the right to Andy McLaren and when he crossed the ball into the middle, Ngonge lashed the ball passed Caig from eight yards.

On-loan Charlton defender Greg Shields almost netted a second for Killie but his lob from the edge of the box just cleared the crossbar.

The Easter Road side's closest effort on goal during an exciting first half came after 34 minutes when Francisco Luna's shot was well held by Gordon Marshall.

Hibs looked livelier after the re-start and, in the 47th minute, Marshall was forced to turn Luna's effort round the post.

Jarkko Wiss then wasted an opportunity when Hibs were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out.

The Finnish international fired the ball wide from 25 yards when he should at least have hit the target.

But the home side looked just as likely to score and they were unlucky not to have moved two ahead in the 63rd minute when Ngonge netted but was adjudged to be offside.

After 77 minutes, Marshall pulled off a double save from O'Connor to deny Hibs the equaliser.

The keeper had another good stop at the back post as he blocked substitute Derek Townsley's header.

Substitute Tommy Johnson then had a late opportunity for Killie but he was thwarted on the edge of the box by Caig.

Teams:

Kilmarnock Marshall, Canero, McGowne, Dindeleux, Shields, McLaren, Sanjuan (McDonald 33), Mitchell, Murray, Ngonge (Johnson 82), Dargo.

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Innes, Boyd.

Goals: Ngonge 18.

Hibernian Caig, De la Cruz (Townsley 61), Smith, Caldwell, Hilland, Arpinon, O'Neil, Jack (Wiss 45), Orman, Luna (Brewster 80), O'Connor.

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Fenwick.

Booked: Smith, Orman.

Att: 6,236

Ref: D Somers (Scotland).