Having renewed their sense of enterprise, Hibernian then had to restore their mean-spiritedness.

The advantage in this game was established early, but there was no comfort in leading as Kilmarnock applied pressure, and the defining quality was of a sturdy resilience. Supporters immersed themselves in the circumstances of the game, and a late series of penalty area blocks that ended with a clearance lashed wildly upfield provoked a rousing cheer.

Pat Fenlon used the transfer window to rejuvenate his side. The starting line-up included five players who only arrived at Easter Road last month, and the effect was to invigorate the team. The manager expected the mood of his players to be stirred, but there was an immediate aplomb, too.

"We got most of the players we wanted, and they've given the place a lift," the Hibs manager said. "We've signed some good characters, and some experience, which will help to develop the young players we wanted to keep here."

No adjustment for unfamiliarity was required, as the home side's sprightliness was allowed free reign. Tom Soares was unchallenged as he carried the ball forward and the isolation was liberating. Once he was within shooting distance, he hit a fierce drive that drew a diving save from Cammy Bell. The Kilmarnock goalkeeper must have felt victimised, as the resulting corner led to the ball and a crush of players surging towards him. James McPake won the header and converted, but Bell had been impeded by Garry O'Connor and the effort was disallowed.

Kilmarnock are accustomed to maintaining their composure, but they had cause to reel. Soares and David Wotherspoon were penetrating the Kilmarnock defence on the flanks, while Isaiah Osbourne and Lewis Stevenson were commanding the centre of midfield. The shape of the team was a commonplace 4-4-2, but there was room for individual sophistication. Eoin Doyle and Soares combined deftly before the latter pulled a cross back for Doyle to hit a deflected shot beyond Bell.

The Irishman's finish was resourceful, and he played like a natural poacher. Outwith the penalty area he tended to be a marginal figure, but goalscoring opportunities enlivened him. He drifted instinctively into dangerous positions and a Wotherspoon cross that was delivered with menacing pace landed right in his path, only for his header to bounce off Manuel Pascali and out for a corner.

Even when Kilmarnock did begin to hoard possession, they faltered against the resilience of the Hibs defence. James Dayton flits around the pitch, but he found Pa Kujabi, the home side's new left-back, a relentless and aggressive opponent. More than once, the winger felt his ankles rapped, and he must have received each pass with a wince of anticipation. On the sole occasion in the first half when he drifted out of the defender's range, he skipped infield and hit a low shot that Graham Stack tipped wide.

Having belatedly found a route to goal, the visitors felt emboldened and Danny Racchi slung a cross into the penalty area that Paul Heffernan headed wide. The two chances must have prompted a familiar sense of consternation in Fenlon, who became increasingly agitated on the touchline. Hibs' defensive frailties had become a recurring theme, and the manager's response was to sign three new players for his backline, but there was still a threat of old insecurities remaining.

The interval allowed Fenlon the opportunity to restore some order. Matthew Doherty, the right-back on loan from Wolves, was composed and strong, and McPake won every high ball with authority. Alongside him, Paul Hanlon grew with assurance. "We showed real character and defended well as a team," Fenlon said. "The back four were excellent, that's the first clean sheet [under Fenlon] and something we've got to build on."

Kilmarnock had not been subdued, though, and Racchi and James Fowler attempted shots from long range. The efforts were necessary, since the visitors were frustrated in trying to play through the Hibs defence. "We killed them with our possession," said Kenny Shiels, the Kilmarnock manager. "But the six-second rule wasn't applied. Their goalkeeper was holding onto the ball for 15, 20 seconds and that disrupted our play. I asked the fourth official if he was assisting the referee, but I was calm and composed, so please don't say, 'Kenny Shiels blasted the officials'. But the rules have to be applied."

Spine of the team