BRONDBY 0-1 HIBS AET (1-1 on Aggregate, Brondby win 5-3 on pens)

Hibernian were heroic in the city that gave the world Hans Christian Anderson but succumbed to a Europa League exit which was downright Grimm.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg at Easter Road, the Edinburgh outfit were acutely aware they were arriving in Copenhagen with a uphill task. However, Neil Lennon watched with pride as his side turned in a disciplined, energetic and tactically perfect performance against one of the traditional powerhouses of Scandinavian football.

David Gray, the man who scored the winning goal and captained Hibs to their first Scottish Cup triumph since 1902, evidently has a penchant for the big occasions and he turned in the goal which gave Hibs a one-goal win on the night.

However, Hibs endured heartbreak from the penalty spot with John McGinn, magnificent throughout the match, faltered and Brondby scored every one of their efforts to progress 5-3.

Finland under-21 international Otso Virtanen, hapless in allowing Kamil Wilczek to give the Danes a 1-0 win at Easter Road, was replaced by Ross Laidlaw, a summer arrival from Raith Rovers

Laidlaw had not played a single minute of senior football for more than a year and his last competitive outing came in the colours of Elgin City, during a loan spell from Raith, in April 2015.

Nevertheless, he was sharp when called upon to tip a ferocious Christian Norgaard drive over the bar. Wilczek and Brondby captain Johan Larsson also threatened during a first period largely dominated by the hosts.

A boisterous band of 1000 Hibs fans made the journey to the Danish capital in the hope of seeing their side achieve a feat only done twice by Scottish sides in Europe - progress after losing the first leg at home.

Celtic and Motherwell, both in 2009, managed to overhaul a deficit but, as the emerged after the break, Hibs were evidently desperate to add their name to that list.

Within three minutes of the restart John McGinn found Gray with a whipped cross. However, the Hibees skipper nodded over the bar.

But Gray, the man for the big occasion, would not be denied. A Dylan McGeouch corner was woefully defended by the hosts allowing Darren McGregor to help the ball towards goal, where the Hibee hero was waiting to prod over the line.

Laidlaw excelled again in injury time, plunging to make a stunning fingertip save, pushing an effort by Larsson inches wide of the post.

A nervous period of extra-time passed, with only Andrew Hjulsager coming close, ensuring a fraught encounter would be decided from the penalty spot.

Brondby were peerless from 12 yards and dispatched every single kick was composure and accuracy, whereas McGinn saw a tame effort save by Frederik Ronnow. Frederik Holst scored the decisive effort as Hibs bowed out with their heads held high.