BOWIE IS A SUPER STAR, MAN

Striker on song before Cadden delivers amazing encore

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THEY came to the Boyle in Belgrade. And last night Hibs ensured the Gravediggers' Euro hopes were dead and Bowie-d as a new hero was born in Leith.

Kieron Bowie slammed home a 40-yard worldie just as it looked like David Gray's nerve-ridden side were in danger of chucking away a two-goal first leg lead on their own turf.

That should have been enough to win a titanic tie. But still Hibs found a way to have to go through extra time even against 10-men following Nicola Simic's second yellow card before Chris Cadden's strike finally finished off the Serbs off in injury time.

Hibs led 2-0 ahead of kick off thanks to Martin Boyle's first leg double. But Milan Vukotic blasted Partizan - backed by a few hundred of their Gravedigger ultras - back into the tie on 17 minutes.

The midfielder picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and unleashed a strike Jordan Smith could only help into the net.

It got worse when Partizan doubled their lead a minute before the break.

It was another nightmare for Smith as Mario Jurcevic's low cross caught Rocky Bushiri flat footed and Jovan Milosevic's low effort squirmed under the keeper and just over the line.

It was going to take something special to spark Hibs back to life. Step forward Bowie. Forty yards out with his back to goal the striker rolled Vanja Dragojevic and unleashed a first-time half volley that flew over Marko Milosevic into the top corner.

It gave Easter Road lift off. And three minute later Partizan appeared floored when Simic picked up a second yellow.