Kilmarnock clinched fourth spot and a possible crack at Europe with a share of the points against Hibernian.

But the visitors spoiled the party with a goal seconds from the end.

Hibs, already doomed to the First Division, had a better start and forced a couple of corners in the opening minutes.

But soon the home side began to assert their authority and a clever Pat Nevin pass found Jerome Vareille bearing in on goal. But Darren Dods was in quickly to clear the danger.

Vareille had another opportunity but volleyed well wide of Bryan Gunn's goal.

Killie made the breakthrough on 15 minutes with a well-executed goal down the right hand side.

Gary Holt and Nevin played a clever one-two, with Nevin turning the ball across goal to the unmarked Mark Roberts who swept the ball into the Hibs' net.

Killie were well in control at this stage and should have gone on to add to the lead.

A clever flick from Vareille found Holt running clear but the midfielder lost control and the chance was gone.

On the half hour Killie's Mark Reilly had to leave the field with a facial injury and after failing to reappear was replaced by Ally Mitchell.

It was six minutes before the interval before the visitors managed a shot at the home goal.

Dods did well to pick out Barry Lavety at the edge of the box but he flashed his shot high into the stand.

Then Killie raced upfield and a shot by Vareille was blocked by Willie Miller.

Hibs were livelier after the interval and posed more problems for the Kilmarnock defence.

Kenny Miller did well to get his shot on target but Gordon Marshall held the ball confidently on the line.

Marshall again kept his goal intact with another good save low at the post, this time from Steve Crawford.

Gunn was lucky to avoid a sending off midway through the second half when he pushed Nevin as the Killie winger went to take a quick throw in.

Hibs pushed forward in the dying minutes in a bid to salvage a draw and with almost the last kick of the ball Crawford obliged when he cut in from the left and sent a super shot just inside Marshall's left-hand post.

Teams

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Kerr, Lauchlan, Montgomerie, Reilly (Mitchell 35), Nevin, Holt, Roberts (McGowne 89), Vareille, Burke (Henry 77).

Goals: Roberts 15.

Hibernian: Gunn, W. Miller, Elliot, Renwick, Hughes, Dods, Tosh (Dow 58), K. Miller (Bannerman 80), Crawford, Lavety, McGinlay.

Subs Not Used: Dennis.

Booked: W. Miller, Lavety, McGinlay.

Goals: Crawford 90.

Att: 12,393

Ref: S Roy (Westhill).