Hibernian ensured a top-six finish Scottish Premiership finish after a goalless draw with third-placed Kilmarnock.

Paul Heckingbottom's side remain unbeaten in the league since the head coach took over in February.

They rarely looked like scoring at Easter Road, but a point is enough to confirm they will be in the upper half after the split.

Killie are joined on 55 points by Aberdeen.

Lack of composure from both

These two had produced 20 goals in their last four meetings, but neither managed to create clear chances and did little to warm up the hardy souls who braved a chilly evening in the capital.

Other than a header from Kilmarnock defender Kirk Broadfoot that had Ofir Marciano scrambling across his goal, and a Stevie Mallan long-range effort that was straight into the arms of Daniel Bachmann, there was nothing that even came close to breaking the deadlock.

Passes were going astray from even the shortest of distances as neither side were able to get control of a packed midfield area.

Kilmarnock made a switch at the break with Kris Boyd replacing the ineffective Conor McAleny, who had little support or supply from his colleagues.

The game continued in similar fashion, though, and the busiest man on the pitch was referee Steven McLean, who had little option in dishing out five yellow cards as the players struggled for the composure that the game was screaming out for.

Kilmarnock were gifted an opportunity when Paul Hanlon was slack with a cross-field ball that was intercepted by Jordan Jones. The winger raced through on goal but his effort was brilliantly saved by the outstretched arm of Marciano.

The game was still lacking a spark but the home fans will feel they should have been awarded a penalty when Greg Taylor appeared to block a David Gray header with his elbow just six yards out, but the referee was having none of it and waived play on.

Boyd looked as surprised as anyone when he found the ball at his feet just three yards out from a corner but the former Scotland striker had no time to control and Marciano collected with ease.

The game petered out with a whimper as the fixture ended goalless for the first time since 2001.

Hibernian and Kilmarnock have scored 20 goals between them in their last four meetings

'Uncharacteristic performance' - analysis

Both sides have been excellent to watch at times this season but these performances were very uncharacteristic. Neither were able to string any passes of real purpose and other than the mistake by Hanlon, which gave Jones the clearest opportunity of the evening, the respective goalkeepers had little to trouble them.

There is still plenty for both teams to play for with bragging rights up for grabs on Saturday when Hibernian visit city rivals Hearts and Kilmarnock still on course for a European spot, but vast improvement will be required if either team are to realise any of their ambitions.

'Uncharacteristic performance' - reaction

Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom: "That was a tough game. We played a good side there and it was evident there was a lot of experience because they made good decisions at good times.

"If we are going to continue on a good run and play football that makes teams respect us just a little bit more, there will be a lot more teams come here and do that and make it really difficult to break down."

Kilmarnock assistant manager Alex Dyer: "We had three or four good chances in the first half where we may have made better of the situation.

"We are just wanting to finish as high as we can. We are in a good position at the moment but we will just take one game at a time and just win games."