Hibs were tonight cruelly dumped out of the UEFA Youth League by a last-minute Borussia Dortmund strike.
Steve Kean's under-19 side had surpassed expectations to reach the play-off round but couldn't overcome the German youth charges.
The Leith youngsters had looked to provide another upset in the competition after an early opener from Jacob Blaney as the centre back powered home a header from a Robbie Hamilton cross after 26 minutes.
But, Dortmund would be gifted a route back into the match 20 minutes from time with the visitors awarded a penalty following Owen Hastie's handball.
Hibs skipper Murray Aitken had been receiving treatment off the pitch when Murray Johnson fumbled in the box leading to the handball. Dortmund striker Julian Rijkoff made no mistake from 12 yards to restore parity.
Ethan Laidlaw threatened to snatch the headlines as he set off on a stunning surging run after 57 minutes.
The midfielder blocked on the edge of his own box before galloping into the Dortmund 18-yard zone but dragging an effort just wide.
The match looked destined to be decided by spot-kicks from then on until the intervention of substitute Hendry Blank's late sucker-punch strike.
The full-back remained composed in the box to slot into the far corner and send Dortmund - coached by former Hearts loanee Mike Tullberg - into the last 16.
Blaney went close to a leveller six minutes into stoppage time before another Silas Ostrzinski stop denied a sensational equaliser.
Tensions boiled over at full-time with Hisb players adamant the ball had crossed the line before the full-time whistle and calls for a spot-kick of their own in the closing stages.
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