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Hibs went into Thursday’s second leg as strong favourites given their excellent showing in Belgrade, but their two-goal lead slipped away in alarming fashion as goalkeeper Jordan Smith pushed Milan Vukotic’s long-range effort into the top corner before allowing Jovan Milosevic’s tame effort to squirm under him.<\/p>\n
He trudged off at half-time to howls of dismay from the home supporters, but Gray believes the break came at a good time for his side.<\/p>\n
“For large spells of the first half the shape was really good, we had the better chances and then there’s obviously a couple of mistakes,” Gray said.<\/p>\n
“The character was certainly tested. Half-time came at a good time – I was able to calm them down and then it’s all about character.”<\/p>\n
And they showed their character through Bowie’s inspired strike and through a string of Smith saves, who put his first-half horror show behind him admirably.<\/p>\n
“I’m delighted for Jordan for his second-half performance,” Gray said. “He made big saves at big times.”<\/p>\n
Gray was keen to point out that his team’s character was then tested again.<\/p>\n
The tie looked done. Hibs were through, 3-2 up on aggregate with 30 seconds left of time added on.<\/p>\n
That was before Partizan’s Andrej Kostic swept home in the 96th minute to force extra time.<\/p>\n
However, unlike in Europa League qualifying against Midtjylland, there would be no heartache this time.<\/p>\n
“The game became stretched, we lost control at times,” Gray said. “You think you’re over the line and then you have to go again for another 30 minutes.<\/p>\n
“Now it’s all done and dusted there will be improvements to come from it, but that’s for another night.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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