Seeking to make a fresh start under new manager Lee Johnson, Hibernian are poised to crash embarrassingly out of the Premier Sports Cup at the first hurdle after being held to a draw at home by Morton.
Even the extra point eluded them in the penalty shoot-out after a deeply frustrating 90 minutes to leave them sitting on just seven points from their four games and in need of an unlikely series of results this weekend.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Morton took a surprise lead in the 61st minute when Grant Gillespie took advantage from the spot following a hand ball in the box from Joe Newell.
Although that advantage lasted just 10 minutes, thanks to Ewan Henderson’s equaliser 19 minutes from time, there was to be no grandstand finish from the Easter Road side as they failed to find the winner they craved.
Henderson, Aiden McGeady and Ryan Porteous all failed to convert in the shoot-out and, although Gillespie’s opening effort was saved by David Marshall, the former Scotland goalkeeper could not reprise his international heroics and Cameron Blues, Carlo Pignatiello and Kyle Jacobs sealed the extra point for ‘Ton.
Beaten by Falkirk last midweek, Johnson looked to have learned his lessons with a strong starting line-up the showed just one change from the team that defeated Bonnyrigg Rose on Sunday. An injury precluded Lewis Stevenson from turning out but there was some good news with the appearance of Jair Tavares on the bench, and later as a second-half substitute, after a work permit was successfully secured.
Paperwork again denied Hibs the services of new signings Elie Youan and Marijan Cabraja and they took their place in the main stand alongside the injured Kevin Nisbet, Paul Hanlon and Kyle Magennis. Those asked to go again failed to convince on a night of shortcomings.
They kicked off full of intent but could have been behind after just six minutes. Morton worked a cross to the far post where Lewis Strapp arrived unmarked but he skied his volley over from 12 yards out.
Elias Melkersen screwed a curling shot wide from 20 yards out before Hibs came within a whisker of the opener shortly before the break
Aiden McGeady’s chip was played back in first time back by Henderson and Lewis Miller’s volley whistled wide.
Tavares was introduced at the interval for his debut and instantly had the home supporters off their seats with a flick and a run forward.
It was a hint at what could lay ahead once the Portuguese winger finds his feet in Scottish football but his moments were too fleeting for Hibs.
And as they tried everything to get the breakthrough they were hit with a sucker punch.
David Marshall brilliantly turned away a Jaze Kabia drive but the danger was not over.
Morton recycled possession and Newell was adjudged to have handled a Cameron Blues cross.
Gillespie sent Marshall the wrong way from the spot to give Ton the lead.
But the lead lasted just 10 minutes as Hibs hauled themselves level. Breaking forward at pace Henderson burst into space beyond the defence and slotted past Schwake
It was too little too late though and when McGeady’s drilled effort slipped past in the 90th minute it summed up a frustrating night for the hosts.
