Hibernians 1
Obiefule 78

Fk Vojvodina 4
Skuletic 40; Soares 43 Og, Aboubakar 50; Kosovic 82

The omens looked promising for Hibs as, for the best part of the first half, they looked anything but intimidated by Vojvodina’s status as sure favourites to progress to the next round of the Europa League.

Wearing black outfits, Hibs gave as much as they got in the opening 40 minutes but their promising start was undone by two quick goals, the second a classic own goal by Rodolfo Soares, in the closing stages of the first half.

Vojvodina had been compact and efficient until then but their two-goal spurt made their task a lot easier as they breezed through the second half without breaking much sweat.

A 4-1 defeat on home territory is tantamount to a debacle for Hibs but their performance was certainly not as poor as the scoreline suggests.

They did try to make life difficult to their more-quoted opponents, heeding the call of coach Branko Nisevic, and also had some bright moments during the game with Bjorn Kristensen their most influential player.

Before the game, Tony Bezzina, the Hibernians president, presented a memento to Adrian Pulis for his contribution to the club. Having announced his decision to retire from football after Hibs’ win over Qormi in last season’s FA Trophy final, Pulis had hoped to make his final appearance for the Paolites in the home leg of their Europa League match but an ankle injury scuppered his plans.

In their first noteworthy foray into Hibs’ half, Vojvodina threatened to break the stalemate. Enver Alivodic dragged in a cross and Petar Sku-letic’s header grazed the near post.

The Paolites were more than a match for Vojvodina for much of the opening 22 minutes.

Midway into the first half, Mario Muscat did well to keep out Alivodic’s strike. From the ensuing corner, taken by Stojan Vranjes, Skuletic headed wide.

But the best chance came Hibs’ way close to the half-hour.

Kristensen’s cross unnerved the Vojvodina defenders as the ball fell to Edison who failed to connect. Amid the resultant melee, the ball was deflected into the path of the unmarked Clayton Failla but he lifted his shot over the bar.

The sight of Cameroon striker Oumarou Aboubakar gliding past Marcelo Dias caused apprehension in the Hibs ranks. Aboubakar miscued his diagonal shot but the ball sailed towards Marko Poletanovic whose first-time effort was touched away by Muscat.

Vojvodina seized the lead five minutes from half-time. Alivodic’s cross soared into the six-yard box and Skuletic stabbed the ball home.

Hibs’ predicament increased barely three minutes later as they fell two goals down, Soares diverting the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a cross by Poletanovic.

Vojvodina signalled their intent to keep up the pressure on Hibs when, two minutes into the second half, Aboubakar burst forward but his effort was blocked by Muscat.

The game was as good as over five minutes into the second half when Aboubakar made a surging run into the box from the left before hitting past Muscat.

Hibs looked stunned but they almost pulled one back when, from Failla’s corner, Tarabai produced a firm downward header that was saved by Kordic.

The team from Novi Sad promptly switched to attacking mode but Muscat denied them a fourth goal with a point-blank save from Aboubakar.

With 15 minutes left, Hibs’ flailing spirits received a boost as they were awarded a penalty after Kordic clipped Tarabai’s legs as the latter raced into the box to reach a Kristensen pass.

Failla’s shot from the spot was saved by the Vojvodina goalkeeper but barely a minute later, Hibs reduced the arrears thanks to Obiefule who tapped home from close range after Kristensen’s cross-shot had been partially blocked.

Eight minutes from time, Vojvodina restored their three-goal cushion when substitute Nebojsa Kosovic poked home at the far post after receiving from Aboubakar.

A minute from time, Vojvodina defender Duric was dismissed after earning a second caution for time-wasting.

Hibernians: M. Muscat, B. Kristensen, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson, M. Dias (66 N. Chetcuti), C. Failla, M. Tabone (66 J. Lima), R. Soares, A. Cohen. O. Obiefule (78 J.P. Farrugia), L. Edison.

FK Vojvodina: M. Kordic, N. Radoja, B. Trajkovic, E. Alivodic (89 M. Gacinovic), P. Skuletic (58 N. Bilbija), S. Vranjes (71 N. Kosovic), O. Aboubakar, M. Baric, M. Poletanovic, M. Vulicevic, G. Duric.

Referee: Suren Baliyan (Armenia).

Missed penalty: Failla (H) 77.

Yellow cards:  Duric; Dias; Kordic.

Red card: Duric (V) 89.