Hibernian dominated today's Scottish Premier League encounter with Kilmarnock but it took a late penalty kick, won and converted by Abdessalam Benjelloun, to ensure they finished deserved victors. The win puts the side firmly in control of 3rd place in the SPL, just two points off the pace being set by Rangers.

For the visit of Jim Jefferies' side John Hughes kept faith with the same starting eleven that were held to a draw with Dundee United two weeks ago. The Easter Road stands cast long shadows on an immaculate looking playing surface as visitors Kilmarnock got the action underway, and both teams looked to attack from the first whistle. Wright had to be alert to prevent Stokes from running through on goal by cutting out a neat pass from Benjelloun inside 60 seconds.

But the Hibernian defence were let off the hook twice in quick succession soon after when a corner kick from Sammon was headed against the far post by Kyle, before the rebound from Wright was cleared from the goal-line by Wotherspoon. Hibernian's first real chance of the afternoon came after 12 minutes when Zemmama's cross from the right picked out Riordan, the striker letting fly with a powerful right foot effort that ended just over the top of Brown's crossbar. At the other end Kyle looked set to head Kilmarnock into the lead when he was left unmarked at the back post but thankfully Wotherspoon spotted the danger and did just enough to put the forward off.

From a Zemmama corner kick on 17 minutes his Moroccan team-mate Benjelloun flicked the ball towards the far post. Bamba looked to turn it in but Wright did just enough to allow Brown to gather. Seconds later a sharp turn and shot from Riordan struck the side netting with Brown beaten and for a brief moment some inside the stadium thought it was a goal. Next a lobbed ball forward from Murray put Stokes through on goal - with Brown racing from his line to narrow the angle, the Irishman attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper but he could not get enough height on the ball.

The battle between Kyle and Bamba was shaping up to be a real physical contest, it seemed that anytime the ball was played in between the pair referee Thomson spotted one of them fouling the other. The match official was not allowing the game to follow and it was beginning to frustrate both sides. When football did break out chances were being created and next up was a strike from Hamill, coming in on the left flank he curled an effort just wide of the far post. At the other end Zemmama picked out Stokes with a free kick and the striker's header across goal was just missed by the sliding Benjelloun for what would have been a sure goal had he made any contact with the ball.

A neat one-two between Zemmama and Stokes ended with the former firing wide before a shot from distance by Fowler had Stack scrambling across his goal, thankfully the ball finished just wide of the far post. That was the final action of a stop-start first half where niggling fouls were more common place than free flowing football. All square then at the break and everything to play for in the second 45.

Half Time: Hibernian 0 Kilmarnock 0

Both teams returned unchanged and it was Hibernian who had the first chance of the when Benjelloun's quick throw-in allowed Zemmama to cross for Wotherspoon arriving late into the box, but his diving header was inches off target. Hibernian were enjoying the greater possession with the majority of the game was being played in the Kilmarnock half, yet the home side struggled to carve out any real goal scoring opportunities as the Ayrshire men were exceptionally well marshalled in defence.

Kilmarnock defender Wright had to slide in to knock the ball beyond for a corner kick to prevent Benjelloun getting onto the end of Riordan's front post cross. From the resulting corner kick Benjelloun headed wide before Stokes had a pop from distance but his effort was easily held by Brown. All the pressure was coming from Hibernian and with the Kilmarnock defence under tremendous strain it was surely only a matter of time. Zemmama had a drive at goal deflected wide by the sliding Invincible before Benjelloun had the ball in the net - his celebrations cut short after referee adjudged Bamba's challenge on Brown as a foul.

With a little over 20 minutes remaining and with Kilmarnock defending resolutely, John Hughes opted to make his first change when he replaced Stokes with Nish. Riordan then volleyed over from Zemmama's deep cross before a shot from Riordan, through the legs of Fowler, was pushed around the far post by the diving Brown. To the frustration of everyone inside Easter Road referee Thomson failed to spot a clear handball by Skelton inside the penalty area. Miller and Hamill picked up yellow cards after the Hibernian midfielder reacted to a poor challenge by his opponent.

Kilmarnock's first change saw Pascali replace Hay on 75 minutes but it did little to stem the flow of play towards the visitor's goalmouth. Then on 82 minutes Benjelloun went down under the challenge of Skelton and referee Thomson this time did not miss the infringement and pointed to the spot. The Kilmarnock players surrounded the official and Fowler was booked for his protests.

After missing twice from the spot this season Derek Riordan stepped aside to allow Benjelloun to take the kick. Goalkeeper Brown guessed correctly but he was powerless to prevent a superbly placed effort from Abdessalam Benjelloun from finding the bottom corner of his net.

On 85 minutes Russell replaced Skelton and within seconds Kilmarnock had won a free kick on the edge of the Hibernian penalty area. Hamill took responsibility for the set piece but he was well off target. Before play resumed Hibernian goal hero Benjelloun was replaced by Cregg and he left the field to a thunderous round of applause from the Hibernian support. As the game entered the first of three additional minutes Hibernian broke forward with Riordan playing the ball wide right to Zemmama, with Kilmarnock's defence expecting a cross he attempted to beat Brown at his near post - the goalkeeper producing a fantastic save to prevent a goal.

Deep into injury time Galbraith replaced Riordan and despite a nervous last few seconds Hibernian held firm and deserved their victory. Next up for Hibernian is a difficult trip to Ibrox but they will travel there full of confidence.

Hibernian: Stack, Wotherspoon, Hogg, Bamba, Murray, McBride, Miller, Zemmama, Benjelloun, Riordan, Stokes. Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Thicot, Stevenson, Cregg, Rankin, Nish, Galbraith.

Kilmarnock: Brown, Hay, Fowler, Wright, Bryson, Invincible, Skelton, O'Leary, Kyle, Sammon, Hamill. Subs: Bell, Pascali, Russell, Owens, Flannigan, Fernandez, Kelly.

Referee: Craig Thomson.

Report: Richard Payne