Hibernian's Owen Elding scores to make it 1-0 against MalishevaSNS

Owen Elding opened the scoring for Hibernian

At a glance

  • Hibernian progress to third qualifying round of Conference League

  • Elding and Passlack wipe out first-leg deficit before Lowe puts Scottish side in front on aggregate

  • Boyle makes it four after half-time before Bajraktari pulls one back for Malisheva

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Hibernian dominated Malisheva at Easter Road to wipe out last week's first-leg defeat in Kosovo and set up a Conference League third qualifying round tie against Shkendija of North Macedonia.

After such a dismal performance and result in Pristina, head coach David Gray demanded an improved display and he got it from the off on a balmy summer's evening in the Scottish capital.

Three first-half goals from Owen Elding, Felix Passlack and Nathan Lowe put Hibs in front on aggregate and it could have been more in a one-sided 45 minutes, in which Josh Mulligan and Martin Boyle both hit the woodwork.

Boyle made it four in the second half and although Omer Bajraktari brought Malisheva within one goal of extra time, they were unable to carve out another opportunity.

Elding fired the opener inside eight minutes after being played in by Boyle, before Felix Passlack swept in the second on his left foot shortly after.

Boyle also set up the third - whipping a cross to the back post, where Elding put it on a plate for Lowe's first goal since joining on loan from Stoke City.

Hibs continued to carve Malisheva open after the break and Boyle deservedly got on the scoresheet on 57 minutes, capitalising on some statue-esque defending to skip inside on to his right foot and beat goalkeeper Ilir Avdyli.

Elding and Lowe both squandered golden opportunities to make the scoreline more comfortable, and Bajraktari ensured a nervy finish with a brilliant strike from outside the box.

However, the hosts saw out the final stages to move one step closer to European competition proper.

Shkendija - who were beaten 2-1 in Ljubljana by Bravo last week - recovered to win 3-1 on home turf and progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Hibs will be at home for the first leg on 6 August before the return leg in Tetovo on 13 August.

Analysis: Slick Hibs redeem themselves

Much was made - rightly - of how poor Hibs were in the first leg of this tie and it felt like they had a point to prove in front of their own supporters.

From kick-off they played with a pace and purpose that was lacking last Thursday and they were rewarded for their positivity in a blistering first half.

Boyle - who signed a one-year deal to stay at the club in May - was at his direct best and set the tone when he drove at the Malisheva defence and shot wide inside the opening minute.

Although Lowe should have scored more than one, he is obviously not short on confidence - his aim of topping the Premiership's scoring charts is proof of that - and he led the line well against admittedly limited opposition.

The one frustration for Gray will be how his team failed to put the tie to bed in the final 20 minutes.

Chance after chance went begging as the game became increasingly stretched, but ultimately Hibs got the job done.

What Gray said

Gray on Hibs' European comeback victory against Malisheva

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "The start is what I really want to focus on - the reaction.

"We spoke about the intensity we want to play at, the intent from the start to play forward, run forward and get the crowd behind us.

"I saw it in training and they fully deserved to win tonight. We should have been out of sight, we hit the woodwork a couple of times and missed three or four big chances.

"That goal at the end made it a little bit edgy but at the same time, the players deserved what they got tonight. Delighted for them."

What's next?

Hibs take momentum into Sunday's league opener against Motherwell (16:30 BST), who also progressed to the third qualifying round by beating Faroese outfit HB 5-0 on aggregate.

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