Jefferies lamenting final losses

Jim Jefferies and assistant Billy Brown were left unhappy at Hampden

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies thought the loss of experienced players through injury cost his side in the CIS Insurance Cup final against Hibernian.

"You need people like David Fernandez, Danny Invincibile and Momo Sylla when facing the better teams," he said after the 5-1 defeat at Hampden Park.

"My fear was that the occasion would be too much for some of them and the day passed us by big style.

"But it was never 5-1, although the scoreline will show that."

Interview: Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

Jefferies lamented his own side's missed chances before Hibs took the lead before half-time.

"Even at 3-1, we got back into the game and it was looking like it would be 3-2 rather than 4-1," he said.

"But, when you are pushing forward, Hibs are a team that can exploit the gaps as they showed.

"It's a horrible feeling to lose in a final, but hopfully it will act as a spur for my players to get to another one and do themselves justice when they get there.

"But to get to a CIS Cup final is still a great achievement.

"It is a pity it was just spoiled by the scoreline."