Derek McInnes was full of praise for 10-man Kilmarnock and believes they didn't deserve to leave Leith empty-handed.
The East Ayrshire side dropped to second-bottom of the Premiership table on Saturday night after suffering a fourth league defeat of the season.
Ash Taylor was sent-off for denying Hibernian ace Martin Boyle a clear and obvious goalscoring opportunity on the edge of the box in the 10th minute.
Striker Joe Newell's resulting free-kick rebounded straight back to him and he made no mistake second time when he found the bottom corner of the net to cheer up boss Lee Johnson who was absent as he recovers from gall-bladder surgery.
Killie turned in a sweat-soaked show as the Easter Road outfit created and wasted numerous opportunities with Elie Youan squandering multiple chances to extend Hibs' lead.
And gaffer McInnes saluted his team after watching them go the extra mile in a bid to salvage a share of the spoils.
He told Killie TV: "I thought we played really well. I have no qualms with the decision [Taylor red card] and once we go down to 10 men, it's an uphill task. It's a double whammy when they score off the free-kick.
"But I thought we passed the ball really well and picked and chose our fights at the right time. We asked at half-time to give one-and-a-half performances, everybody giving a bit more, and I thought we got that in spades.
"We had good moments in the second half, good opportunities which kept them on their toes, and we were buoyed on by a great support. We never gave it up.
"I thought we would get something from the game and that's testament to the players.
"We've had two very good results in the last couple of games but that performance was as good as any of them.
"When I see the players as committed and as good and as smart as they were, that gives me encouragement.
"Sometimes you learn a lot about your team when you go down to 10 men and I learned loads about my team today."
McInnes reckons Killie had good claims for a spot-kick turned down by referee John Beaton in the first half when Ben Chrisene was sent tumbling in the area.
"I thought it was," he added. "I've not been able to see it again but Ben gets into the box and I think it's Chris Cadden who comes across and he certainly doesn't get a touch of the ball. He barges into Ben.
"You're always looking for these things. Sometimes when you come away from home you don't always get it. But I thought we had a valid case."
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