Struggling Clydebank shocked Hibs by forcing a draw in a controversial tie at Easter Road.

Referee John Rowbotham was at the centre of a storm after disallowing a Hibs goal, sending off defender Tom Smith and awarding Clydebank a soft penalty.

Robert Gardner gave Clydebank, who have not won a league game all season, a stunning lead from a penalty after Hibs' Ian Murray was adjudged to have handled in the box.

And although Paul Hartley lobbed in an excellent equaliser in the 66th minute, Hibs could not force a winner.

Smith was red carded in the first half for aiming a kick at Clydebank's Greg Miller.

He was joined in the second half by Colin Sutherland of Clydebank who was sent off for two bookings.

But it must be regarded as a moral victory for Clydebank whose stubborn resistance means that Hibs now have to go to Cappielow for the replay.

It could have been so different for Hibs as they nearly took a remarkable lead in just 10 seconds.

Mixu Paatelainen controlled the ball on the edge of the box before shooting. The ball spun off defender Kenny Brannigan and trickled just wide.

Hibs pressed the First Division side relentlessly in the opening period and Hartley twice came close inside the opening 10 minutes, with first a flashing shot, then a close-range header both going wide.

Murray headed wide in the 23rd minute for Hibs from a Paatelainen cross.

And it took an excellent save from Clydebank keeper Colin Scott to tip over a 25-yard drive from Grant Brebner.

Hibs keeper Nick Colgan was called into action for the first time on 36 minutes when he ran from his line quickly to steal the ball from Danny McKelvie.

The match exploded into life in the 37th minute when Hibs' Smith was sent off for needlessly aiming a kick at Clydebank's Miller.

The red card sparked Hibs into life and keeper Scott made two superb saves from a low shot from Frank Sauzee and a Kenny Miller volley.

Hibs were infuriated in first half injury time when Paatelainen had what looked like a perfectly good goal chalked off when he was adjudged to have been offside after turning in a Sauzee cross.

Clydebank sensationally took a 63rd minute lead when they were awarded a penalty when a cross by Clydebank's Steve Murray was adjudged to have been handled by Hibs' namesake Ian.

It seemed a soft decision and furious Hibs players surrounded ref Rowbotham.

However cool Gardner composed himself and easily scored from the spot.

The Easter Road side immediately hit back and equalised three minutes later when Hartley collected Sauzee's long ball and lobbed the ball over Scott to score.

Hibs turned on the pressure for the remainder of the match but could not find a way through well organised Clydebank.

Clydebank defender Colin Sutherland was also sent off four minutes before the end for a foul - his second bookable offence.

Teams

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, Hughes, Jack, Smith, Hartley (Lovell 81), Brebner, Sauzee, Murray, Paatelainen (Lehmann 75), Miller.

Subs Not Used: Lovering.

Sent Off: Smith (37).

Booked: Sauzee, Hartley, Jack.

Goals: Hartley 66.

Clydebank: Scott, Murray, Sutherland, Murdoch (McKinstrey 56), Brannigan, Wishart, Miller, Gardner, Cameron, McKelvie (Hunter 68), McWilliams, McKinstrey (O'Neil 86).

Sent Off: Sutherland (86).

Booked: Sutherland, Murray.

Goals: Gardner 63 pen.

Att: 9,988

Ref: John Rowbotham (Scotland).