Clayton Failla controls the ball against Spartak Trnava.

Hibernians 2
Cohen 48; Failla 50;
Spartak Trnava 4
Sabo 11 pen, 13, Vlasko 36, Mikinic 88;

The early dismissal of defender Jonathan Pearson and Erik Sabo’s brace for Spartak Trnava inside the opening 12 minutes sparked fears of a drubbing as Hibs trailed by three goals at the end of the opening half of their Europa League first qualifying round, first-leg tie yesterday.

The unfortunate sequence of events in that ill-fated two-minute spell looked to have crushed Hibs’ morale but the underdog spirit invoked by coach Branko Nisevic on the eve of the game came to the fore after the change of ends.

Depleted but unbowed, Hibs soldiered on and set-piece goals from Andrew Cohen and Clayton Failla, their two best players yesterday, revived the game as a contest and drew gasps of admiration for the Paolites who went down fighting despite conceding a late killer goal.

After such a spirited comeback, it was a shame that the game ended on a sour note as Hibs fans, incensed by Nisevic’s decision to withdraw Failla, unleashed a barrage of insults towards their coach which hints at an uneasy relationship between the Serbian and the supporters.

Nisevic had handed starting roles to Brazilian duo Rodolfo Soares and Marcelo Dias, back from a loan spell with Al-Ahed SC, and new Spanish signing Rui Da Garcia Gomes. Hibs were without two key players in Brazilian striker Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’, suspended, and midfielder Jackson Lima, injured.

The first chance was created by the Slovakians as Matus Conka slipped the attentions of the Hibs defenders to receive a set-piece pass but his angled drive was off target.

The Paolites were quick to respond. Clayton Failla’s cross, from a free-kick near the corner flag, was partially headed away by the Spartak defenders but Cohen was first to the loose ball. He laid it back to Bjorn Kristensen whose rasping drive sailed over the crossbar.

Any optimism Hibs might have gleaned from this opportunity fizzled out a minute later. Hibs were dealt a double-blow as they conceded a penalty for Pearson’s tackle on Mikovic which earned the Hibs defender a harsh straight red card.

Sabo converted from the spot.

Hardly two minutes had elapsed when Spartak doubled their lead.

Kamil Kuzma’s corner picked Sabo whose first-time strike had the better of goalkeeper Daniel Balzan.

Two goals in arrears and a man down, Nisevic instructed Dias to drop to right-back.

Cohen had the Spartak defenders on the back foot with a twisting run but his effort was pushed away by goalkeeper Matej Strapak.

Just past the half-hour, Failla produced a powerful drive from the distance with the ball ending just wide.

But, nine minutes from half-time, Hibs fell 3-0 behind after Balzan fumbled Jan Vlasko’s grounder.

With Hibs became increasingly erratic, Spartak threatened to add to their lead. Rui thwarted Mikovic with a well-timed block and, from the rebound, Vlasko rifled wide.

Hibs gained a much-needed psychological boost three minutes into the second half when Cohen reduced the deficit with a gem of a free-kick that nestled into the net via the inside of the far post.

Two minutes later, Hibs struck again. They were awarded another free-kick and Failla’s well-struck shot rolled into the far corner.

Spartak were shaken out of their comfort zone. They tried to react but Vlasko’s piledriver was high.

Midway into the second half, Cohen’s long-range effort flashed wide after good work by Failla.

The game was short on creative fare for much of the second half before the Hibs fans caught attention with their derogatory chants against Nisevic.

Spartak put the game beyond Hibs when, on 87 minutes, Ivan Schranz released fellow substitute Tomas Mikinic who slotted home.

Hibernians: D. Balzan, Rui, J. Pearson, R. Soares, M. Dias (64 B. Muscat), A. Cohen, C. Failla (81 J. Degabriele), J.P. Farrugia (90 J. Mbong), T. Tabone Desira, B. Kristensen, J. Bezzina.

Spartak Trnava: M. Strapak, M. Siva (58 M. Bortel), M. Janecka, M. Mikovic (75 T. Mikinic), J. Vlasko, J. Chovanec, M. Toth, M. Conka, E. Sabo, K. Kuzma, N. Spalek (54 I. Schranz).

Referee: Mark Whitby (Wales).

Yellow cards: Mikovic; Kristensen; Failla; Dias.

Red card: Pearson (H) 10.