Pat Fenlon wants repeat show from Hibs

The Easter Road boss declared himself “disgusted” that his players hadn’t taken at least a point from the visit of Killie, who won the match through former Hibs star Dean Shiels’ penalty – their only shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.

The defeat combined with basement side Dunfermline’s draw away to St Mirren trimmed Hibs’ advantage over the Pars to six points with just four games remaining.

Hibs themselves head for Paisley on Sunday, with Jim Jefferies’ team facing Aberdeen the previous day so the Edinburgh club’s lead could be cut to just three points before kick-off.

But today Fenlon claimed his squad had little to reproach themselves for after yet another home defeat. He said: “I was disappointed for the players more than anything because I couldn’t fault them for the effort and everything else they put into the game. I’m not saying we battered them, but we deserved to get something.

“We weren’t brilliant by any stretch of the imagination but we played quite well, defended well and had some chances. Now it’s a matter of keeping that going until the end of the season. If we continue to perform like that then we will win games.”

And Fenlon revealed Hibs should be boosted for the match against Saints with the return of midfielder Tom Soares while top scorer Garry O’Connor, who limped out of the Killie match with an ankle injury, should also be fit. Fenlon, who was overseeing a bounce match against Sunderland today which was giving fringe players some action, said of O’Connor: “It’s just a kick on the outside of the ankle. There was a little bit of swelling, but it’s not a major concern at the moment.

“He did some pool work yesterday and he should be okay to train, if not today then Friday. Tom also did some pool work, like Garry, and came through okay, so we’re hopeful he’ll be okay for the weekend as well.”