Henri Anier marked his Scottish Premiership debut with an 83rd-minute winner in a 1-0 away victory as Motherwell yesterday piled more misery on Hibernian following their thrashing by Malmo.
Goalkeeper Ben Williams had saved his back four moments earlier when they were caught out by a long ball over the top for John Sutton.
But the Hibs defence, who conceded seven against the Swedes in the Europa League last week, were unlocked by a simple headed clearance to allow the Estonian to race through and deliver an accomplished finish.
The defeat puts Hibs boss Pat Fenlon under more pressure ahead of the derby against administration-hit Hearts at Tynecastle next Sunday.
Motherwell made a double switch as the final 20 minutes approached when Zaine Francis-Angol and Anier replaced James McFadden and Bob McHugh.
There was little immediate impact but Hibs needed keeper Williams to be alert to make two excellent saves with 10 minutes left.
The Hibs defence did not heed the warning as Stephen McManus headed the ball clear from well inside his own half and that was enough to send Anier, formerly of Norwegian club Viking, clear with the home back four flat-footed midway inside their half.
The Estonian kept his composure and guided a left-footed shot inside the near post to send a vociferous away support home happy.
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall was pleased with the impact of his substitutes.
“When you make substitutions you want your substitutes to come on and have an impact, and obviously Henri did that,” he said.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s return leg against Kuban in Russia, where Motherwell will need to overturn a 2-0 deficit if they are to progress through, McCall admits he will have one eye on next Sunday’s league visit of Aberdeen when he makes his plans.
“I’ll have a little look at the squad we take over there, obviously we want to do well there and we don’t want to go and get a hiding, but Aberdeen’s a vital game for us and we’ll be building for the Europa game and the league game,” he told reporters.
Scottish Premier League
Hibernian vs Motherwell - 0-1
St Johnstone vs Hearts - 1-0