Hibs in Euro drama - report and player-by-player ratings from late UEFA Conference League chaos at Easter Road

What is it about Hibs and late goals on big European nights, eh? Sometimes, it’s even quite enjoyable …

David Gray’s men will march on North Macedonia with a lead to defend and a cause to carry forward, courtesy of a dramatic 2-1 home win over KF Shkendija at Easter Road.

Far from perfect, and fooling none of their detractors who spent much of the 90 minutes bemoaning the home side’s inability to get the job done, they have at least given themselves a chance. Thanks to Warren O’Hora’s 90th-minute winner.

Having forced their fans to wait a full 73 minutes for a goal in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie at Easter Road tonight, Owen Elding capping a fine individual performance with a clever finish, Hibs should have been smart enough and professional enough to at least see the game out. But they conceded an equaliser – and a bad one, at that - with the clock still showing 75 minutes plus change.

It took that late intervention by O’Hora, scoring from point-blank range after Jason Kerr’s header from a corner had come crashing back off the woodwork, to secure the slender lead. Hibs will now head to sweltering Skopje with plenty of work to be done – but with an advantage, at least on paper.

On balance, they just about did enough. Which is all that counts, right?

Against opponents the manager had correctly described as “a step up” on Malisheva, routed 4-1 at Easter Road a week ago, Hibs went into this contest knowing that they needed to start quickly – and take any early chances they might carve out.

They had control enough against visitors who dropped low into a defensive block and looked to hit on the counter. But there was a lack of tempo about the Hibs build-up that had home fans on edge very early in proceedings.

In terms of chances, Kerr should have hit the target with his header from an Adam Mayor free-kick, Martin Boyle had a couple of shots blocked – and Elding dragged a long-range strike wide. As a sign of either intent or desperation, the fact that centre-half O’Hora popped up inside the opposition box to hit a tame effort straight at the keeper was telling.

Mayor was having a particularly difficult afternoon in a Hibs XI that put the onus on flexibility, the summer signing pressed into a couple of different roles. And looking uncomfortable wherever he found himself.

The crowd were always likely to be a factor in this contest. But only, in a positive sense, if Hibs gave them some encouragement.

Boos rang out when they were caught on the counter-attack early in the second half. They grew louder when, having survived that scare, Gray’s men looked sluggish in building an attack of their own.

Josh Mulligan lifted a right-footed shot over the bar from the edge of the box just before the hour mark, when he really should have hit the target, while both Kerr and substitute Ante Suto – the latter making an immediate impact after replacing Boyle – had half chances with headers.

Shkendija looked like a team who were happy to play for the goalless draw. Confident, even, in their ability to get the job done on home soil – and in truly brutal heat – next week.

They were forced into a rethink when Hibs took the lead with 73 minutes on the clock, courtesy of some brilliant footwork and a fine low cross from Callum Wright, making his competitive debut. His ball found Elding for a superb finish from close range. Now Hibs had a lead to defend. Something to hang onto in Skopje, perhaps?

Alas, they couldn’t even hold out for three minutes at Easter Road. Jordan Obita went down injured as the ball was turned over, and Jason Kerr was turned very easily by Shkendija sub Marko Gjorgjievski, who beat Raphael Sallinger with a cool finish.

Things were getting nervy now. But Kerr rose high to get power on his header from an Obita corner – and O’Hora was on the spot to finish amid scenes of mild delirium.