Townsley's telling return

Derek Townsley relieved the pressure on Hibernian by scoring both goals as the Scottish Premier League's bottom club secured their first win of the season, at the fifth time of asking.

The former Motherwell player went back to Fir Park and stunned the home crowd with two excellent finishes. Townsley curled in a 30-yard free-kick midway through the first half with his right foot, a deed that also earned him a booking for over-celebrating in the face of his old employers.

The midfielder then killed the game in the 75th minute, latching on to a cross from Francisco Luna and planting a header wide of the goalkeeper Steve Woods.

The home side battled hard but lacked the guile and intelligence to pierce the visitors' defence, which was bolstered impressively by their new signing, the Hungarian international Janos Matyus.

Naturally, the Hibernian manager, Bobby Williamson, was a picture of contentment. "That's the third game we've been in the lead and the first time that we've held on to it," he said. "The opening four weeks of the season have been hard because the club has been knocked a bit in the newspapers, and not all of the criticism has been deserved."

Hibernian's Edinburgh rivals, Hearts, had to settle for a point as their former manager, Jim Jefferies, returned to Tynecastle and guided Kilmarnock to a 1-1 draw.

Jefferies was given a warm reception by the home fans in acknowledgement of his 1998 Scottish Cup success before his acrimonious departure 22 months ago, but he had to watch one of Hearts' precocious teenagers, Paul McMullan, inflict a stunning 25-yard goal on his team after half an hour.

Things looked worse for Kilmarnock, who had three men sent off a fortnight ago, when Sean Hessey was sent off for elbowing Jean-Louis Valois. However, Kris Boyd scored his third goal in three games to equalise just before half-time, gathering Craig Dargo's pass and rounding the goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie.

Kevin McKenna had chances to win the game for the home side, the best of which was a free header from a corner which he put wide after 74 minutes.