Hibernian head coach David Gray was keen to focus on the positives after admitting their hard-fought UEFA Conference League third qualifying round first-leg win over Shkendija was far from perfect.
A late Warren O’Hora effort gave the Easter Road club a slender lead ahead of next Thursday’s third qualifying round return leg.
Hibs dominated for large spells but could not convert their pressure into goals until Owen Elding gave them the lead in the 73rd minute.
Shkendija levelled through Marko Gjorgjievski three minutes later but O’Hora made sure of the spoils for the hosts.
Gray said: ‘The players showed character to get back in front again. We didn’t play our best but found a way to win the game — we have to take confidence from that.
‘Winning games of football is difficult. It’s half-time in the tie and the thing that gives me confidence is we can be a lot better than we were tonight.’
Hibs defender Warren O’Hora jumps for joy after netting late on to seal a first-leg advantage
The visitors made a confident start but that soon faded away as Hibs began to settle, with Jason Kerr going close with a header and Martin Boyle’s turn and shot deflected wide for a corner.
Elding drove forward before unleashing a low left-footed drive that whistled just wide, then defender O’Hora registered a shot on target but his effort was comfortable for goalkeeper Ferat Ramani.
The frustration among the Hibs support was evident during the first half and there were more groans after the break as they made their feelings clear about their team’s decision-making.
Shkendija were more adventurous after the interval and Hibs keeper Rafa Sallinger was forced into a smart save to keep out Drilon Islami’s deflected drive. At the other end Josh Mulligan and Miguel Chaiwa both fired wide.
Home boss David Gray turned to his bench and brought on Callum Wright for his competitive debut and Ante Suto. The latter was involved right away with a lay-off for Felix Passlack but the wing-back’s stinging shot was straight at Ramani.
Owen Elding had put Hibernian ahead in the second half but the Leith men must improve
Wright looked lively and he made the difference in the 73rd minute when his dangerous low pass was flicked in with an audacious back heel from Elding.
However, Hibs’ joy was short lived after the visitors levelled less than three minutes later. Captain Arvin Zejnullai sprang clear before feeding Gjorgjievski and the substitute clipped the ball past Sallinger from a tight angle.
There was more drama to come as O’Hora grabbed a precious winner. The Irishman was left with a simple tap-in after Kerr’s header from Obita’s corner came back off the post.
Hibs came close to a third in the final seconds but Kerr had an effort cleared off the line.
