Source: Team_Talk
Bosses wanted more than draw
Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen blamed careless play for his young side's inability to hold onto a 1-0 half-time lead, which was earned thanks to a deflected Derek Riordan goal.[LNB]But Kilmarnock earned a point when Jamie Hamill pounced after Paul Hanlon lost possession and curled in an equaliser 15 minutes from time.[LNB]Paatelainen insisted Hanlon would come back stronger from his mistake.[LNB]He said: "I'm disappointed that we didn't win the game, as we were totally in control.[LNB]"Then slack play led to their goal - it was a needless mistake. Unfortunately, that has been the story so far.[LNB]"Paul (Hanlon) is a great player and a fantastic human being, I have no fears for him.[LNB]"We totally merited being 1-0 up at half-time; we were all over them and we were playing some really good stuff.[LNB]"However, we needed a second goal and it never came, and it's annoying as we had one or two chances to kill the game but we didn't take them."[LNB]Paatelainen lamented being without the experience of the injured Ian Murray, while captain Rob Jones had to be replaced at half-time.[LNB]He said: "Rob has been fantastic for us, but he was physically sick at half time. He has a bug."[LNB]Despite being frustrated his side did not gain all three points, Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies heaped praise on his players' effort and commitment.[LNB]He said: "I can't fault the performance. We took a wee bit time to settle but, once we got going, our players tried to do the right thing.[LNB]"We were a wee bit unlucky not be ahead in the first half and it was a double-whammy when they went up the park and scored with a lucky deflection.[LNB]"We were unlucky to go in 1-0 down, but I just asked the boys to give more of the same."[LNB]Jefferies admitted he feared Hibs hitting Killie on the counter as they tried to battle back into the game, but he also rued the chances he felt his side should have taken.[LNB]He said: "You are always a wee bit worried when guys like Riordan and (Colin) Nish can hit you on the break but their keeper lived a bit of a charmed life.[LNB]"Conor Sammon and Manuel Pascali should have tested their keeper with headers and the one at the end was just incredible - I think Conor had a fresh air shot.[LNB]"He just needed to connect and go through the ball, but it wasn't to be."[LNB]Jefferies believes the result can spark his side into a run of form after poor results of late.[LNB]He said: "If any team deserved to win it, we did.[LNB]"It was a terrific performance and it stops the rot. Hopefully we can build on that."[LNB][LNB]
