Hibernian 0 - 1 Carlisle United: Drab Hibs show little to inspire thoughts of European comeback

Manager John Hughes started this friendly with English League One opposition with a side which may not be too far removed from his line-up for the return of NK Maribor in their Europa League third round qualifier.

However, there were few signs of the spark which will be needed to ignite a tie which sees the Easter Road outfit trailing by a daunting 3-0 scoreline from the first-leg in Slovenia and boos greeted the final whistle from the visiting supporters.

Hughes opted to load his side with attacking players, Derek Riordan and Danny Galbraith flanking Edwin de Graaf and John Rankin in midfield and Anthony Stokes partnering Colin Nish up front.

At the back, however, there was again no sign of Ivory Coast internationalist Sol Bamba, who was left in Edinburgh as his team-mates journeyed for Maribor last week having returned a week late from a break following the World Cup.

It now looks all but certain he will not feature in Thursday's match and his continued absence from the first-team playing squad only adds to speculation he may have played his final game for the club.

Hughes sent assistant Brian Rice to meet the media after yesterday's disappointing defeat, which came courtesy of a late header from veteran Ian Harte and Rice refused to be drawn on the significance of Bamba's absence. He was, however, happier to talk up Hibs' chances of pulling off what appears to be an unlikely turnaround on Thursday.

"It's a European tie, at home at Easter Road, on a new pitch," he said. "The new stand's not open but it's there for people to see and it's going to be a great night.

"We've nothing to lose, let's be positive. There's no point turning up unless you think you can do it.

"We believe we can pull it back, I'm sure a lot of the fans will think we can pull it back, so let's get together and give it a right go.

"I've seen Maribor twice. I knew it would be really, really difficult over there, but at home I really fancied us to do really well, and nothing's changed my mind on that.

"I'm disappointed with this result, obviously, but I'm really positive because I believe if we can get the players playing how we want them to play I don't see any reason why we can't get very close.

"We got 23 goals from Stokes, 17 from Derek and 12 from Nish last season, we definitely have goals there.

"They're the cutting edge, they'll get goals, it's there and we need to have a go at it. There are goals in our team and I think everybody knows that."

In spite of Rice's bold talk, Hibs showed precious few signs of the attacking spirit they will need against Maribor during yesterday's friendly, making a slow start against a side who kick-off their English League One season with a home clash with Brentford on Saturday.

Former Republic of Ireland internationalist Harte headed Matty Robson's corner over as Carlisle made a lively opening to the match, aided by the intelligent running and movement of new signing Francois Zoko across a Hibs back four featuring new boy David Stephens beside Chris Hogg.

Riordan sent a free-kick high and wide midway through the half before Hughes' team thought they had taken a 29th-minute lead.

This time it was John Rankin who struck a 30-yard dead ball and, although his infamous 'squiggler' squirmed into the net under Adam Collin's dive, the effort was ruled out for offside against Stokes, who was deemed to have interfered in the play.

Hughes, who introduced Paul Hanlon for Hogg at half-time, made several switches early in the second period in a bid to ensure his full squad would be ready for action come Thursday.

Shortly after boos had rung out from the visiting support as another opportunity to attack ended with a backwards pass, Hibs carved out their best opportunity of the match with eight minutes remaining. Neat interplay from McBride and Riordan fed Stokes in the area but keeper Collin got a palm to his left-foot shot.

Seconds later, Carlisle scored in the simplest of fashions. Tom Taiwo's corner was met by the run of Harte and his near-post header from only six yards out left exposed substitute goalkeeper Graeme Smith with no chance.

Carlisle United: Collin; Simek, Hurst, Harte, McDaid (Murphy 59); Hurst (Curren 46), Thirwell (Berrett 46), Taiwo, Robson; Zoko (Bridge-Wilkinson 67), Madine (Price 59). Subs not used: Caig, Kavanagh, Kane Cook, Gillespie, Bowman.

Hibs: Brown (Smith 59); Hart (Thicot 63), Stephens, Hogg (Hanlon 46), Murray (Stevenson 63); Galbraith (Currie 77), De Graaf (Miller 59), Rankin (McBride 59), Riordan; Nish (Wotherspoon 59), Stokes.

Referee: G Salisbury.

Attendance: 3,034