Hibernian's opening Europa League match unfortunately ended in disappointment in a rain-soaked Slovenia with NK Maribor chalking up a three-goal advantage ahead of the return leg at Easter Road next Thursday (5 August).

The home side broke the deadlock through Josip Ilicic in the first half and the Maribor midfielder added a second soon after the interval with an expertly-executed chip.

Maribor captain Marcos Tavares then added a third to heighten Hibernian's woes, but the away side created a handful of chances and this Europa League third qualifying round tie is far from over.

Ahead of the game, John Hughes selected Colin Nish as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

Hibernian made a nervy start to the match and were fortunate not to fall behind after only 16 minutes when Volas evaded the offside trap but was denied by a fantastic save from Stack.

Tavares was inches away with a long range effort that fizzed just wide of goal before goalkeeper Stack was again called into action to save point blank from Ilicic.

NK Maribor were turning up the heat on Hibernian and they made the breakthrough on 31 minutes when Ilicic twisted and turned inside the penalty area before lashing a left foot strike in off the crossbar giving Stack no chance.

As half time approached Hibernian enjoyed their first real spell of pressure on the home defence and it began with a long range effort from Liam Miller.

The Republic of Ireland internationalist gathered the ball 40 yards from goal before striding forward and unleashing a powerful right foot effort that was matched by an equally impressive save from Pridigar.

From the resulting corner Chris Hogg's header was cleared just in front of goal after a scramble inside the penalty area but it is the home side who hold the advantage at the interval.

Hibernian started the second half positively with Nish having an effort at goal deflected wide for a corner kick.

Seconds later John Rankin picked up the first yellow card of the night for a trip on Mertelj before NK Maribor increased their lead.

David Wotherspoon was guilty of giving away possession too cheaply to Ilicic who looked up and sent a delightful left foot chip over the head of Stack and into the Hibernian net.

That goal left Hibernian with a mountain to climb which could have got even steeper had Stack not got down sharply to save a Tavares drive as NK Marbor sliced open the visitor's defence. 

The home team were not to be denied however and soon they had a third goal when their captain Tavares curled a left foot shot beyond Stack and into the far corner of the net.

John Hughes responded by bringing on Riordan and Stokes for Nish and McBride on 67 minutes as the Hibernian boss pushed for a crucial away goal. 

The Edinburgh men almost pulled a goal back on 73 minutes when Rankin's corner kick struck the near post before being cleared down the field.

Moments later Daniel Galbraith replaced Wotherspoon as Hibernian made their final change of the evening.

NK Maribor: Pridigar, Rajcevic, Andelkovic, Mejac, Bacinovic, Ilicic, Viler, Mertelj, Tavares, Volas.  Subs: Radan, Dzinic, Majer, Pavlicic, Cvikanovic, Jelic, Plut.

Hibernian: Stack, Hart, Hogg, Hanlon, Murray, de Graaf, Miller, McBride, Rankin, Wotherspoon, Nish.  Subs: Smith, Stephens, Riordan, Thicot, Galbraith, Stokes.

Referee: Ingvarsson.