Hibs went into Thursday's second leg as robust favourites given their glorious displaying in Belgrade, however their two-goal lead slipped away in alarming style as goalkeeper Jordan Smith pushed Milan Vukotic's long-range effort into the highest nook earlier than permitting Jovan Milosevic's tame effort to squirm underneath him.
He trudged off at half-time to howls of dismay from the house supporters, however Grey believes the break got here at an excellent time for his facet.
“For big spells of the primary half the form was actually good, we had the higher probabilities after which there's clearly a few errors,” Grey stated.
“The character was definitely examined. Half-time got here at an excellent time – I used to be in a position to calm them down after which it is all about character.”
And so they confirmed their character via Bowie's impressed strike and thru a string of Smith saves, who put his first-half horror present behind him admirably.
“I am delighted for Jordan for his second-half efficiency,” Grey stated. “He made large saves at large instances.”
Grey was eager to level out that his workforce's character was then examined once more.
The tie appeared executed. Hibs have been via, 3-2 up on mixture with 30 seconds left of time added on.
That was earlier than Partizan's Andrej Kostic swept dwelling within the 96th minute to power additional time.
Nonetheless, in contrast to in Europa League qualifying towards Midtjylland, there can be no heartache this time.
“The sport turned stretched, we misplaced management at instances,” Grey stated. “You assume you are over the road after which you must go once more for one more half-hour.
“Now it is all executed and dusted there will likely be enhancements to come back from it, however that is for one more evening.”
