HIBERNIAN ENDURED a disappointing return to European football as a resounding 3-0 defeat in Slovenia left them facing a mountainous task to reach the Europa League play-off round.

A double from Josip Ilicic and a curling effort from Marcos Tavares gave Maribor victory in a game in which John Hughes left his two most dangerous players out of his starting line-up, with Colin Nish the lone frontman, and Derek Riordan and Irishman Anthony Stokes on the bench.

Graham Stack won the battle for the gloves ahead of Graeme Smith, while, just before the break, Liam Miller had perhaps the best chance for the visitors when he stroke a swerving 25-yard effort that was pushed away superbly by the outstretched hand of Maribor goalkeeper Marko Pridigar.

Meanwhile, an injury-time equaliser from the penalty spot ruined former Republic of Ireland under-21 international Darren Randolph’s star performance for Motherwell in Norway.

After Jamie Murphy put the Scottish side ahead just after the break against Aalesund in the first leg of the third qualifying round, the 23-year-old Irish goalkeeper made a string of saves to put Motherwell on the brink of a stunning victory.

However, Randolph couldn’t stop Alexander Mathisen’s last-gasp penalty and the tie remains finely balanced ahead of next Thursday’s return leg at Fir Park.

Around 500 supporters of Croatian club Hajduk Split were barred from attending their Europa League match against Dinamo Bucharest last night following pre-game clashes.

According to the Romanian riot police quoted by the state news agency Agerpres, 25 Croat supporters and 25 Romanians clashed in front of a central shopping mall in Bucharest, with one supporter severely wounded.

The home side, Dinamo Bucharest, eventually went on to win the match 3-1.