Misery in Maribor for Hibs – but Motherwell seize control

HIBERNIAN succumbed to the same fate as their compatriots Celtic 24 hours before as they fell to a crushing first-leg European defeat, losing 3-0 away to Slovenian side NK Maribor, and leaving themselves little chance of survival in the return leg of the Europa League qualifier back in Scotland next week.

• Hibs captain Chris Hogg leaps high to win an aerial battle, but NK Maribor cruised past the Edinburgh side 3-0 last night. Picture: Greg Macvean

Motherwell fared far better, managing a creditable 1-1 draw away to Aalesunds, although Craig Brown will be annoyed that the Scots failed to emerge with a priceless win, having led through Jamie Murphy's 48th minute goal until a minute from time, when the Norwegians equalised from the penalty spot.

Motherwell at least head into next week's second leg with justifiable optimism that they can reach the first round proper. Hibs, on the other hand, will need a herculean performance in Edinburgh to overturn what looks like an insurmountable deficit, although manager John Hughes promised to go all-out for goals. "We might have to go a bit gung-ho, but it looks like we would have to get an early goal and see how they handle it. You never know what might happen," said Hughes, who acknowledged the Slovenians had been sharper.

"I feel it was a good football match played between two good football sides. The problem was Maribor played the ball quicker than us," he added. "They looked sharper, and the second and third goals we conceded were self-inflicted, which was disappointing. It's going to be difficult in the return leg – they look like a side who can punish you on the counter-attack.

Hughes had placed an emphasis on keeping it tight by leaving Derek Riordan and Anthony Stokes on the bench, with Colin Nish the lone man up front in a 4-5-1 formation. But it proved no obstacle to Maribor, who opened the scoring through Josip Ilicic in the 31st minute. The same player doubled the advantage shortly after the interval, before Marcos Tavares added a killer third.

Motherwell proved more solid on their travels, keeping the Norwegians at bay in the first-half before Murphy made the breakthrough with his sixth Europa League goal. It looked like wily campaigner Brown had bagged an impressive away win, until Alexander Mathisen's last-gasp penalty salvaged a draw.

Meanwhile, David Ngog struck twice as Roy Hodgson began his Liverpool tenure with a comfortable 2-0 win away to Rabotnicki in Macedonia.

Match report

• NK Maribor 3 - 0 Hibernian: Euro lesson as hapless Hibs are given the runaround