HIBS saw their starman become an Arabian knight – and were left looking less than cavalier without him.

The Easter Road men needed 112 minutes to see off League One leaders Cove Rovers.

Until then last year’s runners-up looked lost without Martin Boyle, who watched from the stands after agreeing a £3million move to Saudi club Al-Faisaly.

Spot-kicks were looming when sub Nisbet crashed home Josh Doig’s cross.

Defeat was harsh on Paul Hartley’s side, who had held their own against his former team but tired late on.

It’s perhaps a sign of what life might be like at Easter Road without the player nicknamed The Squirrel.

Boyle’s exit had rocked Hibs fans pre-match. Two bids from Al-Faisaly had been snubbed but the latest offer was too good to turn down.

Ironically Hartley had been the Dundee boss who sanctioned the swap switch which saw Boyle head to Easter Road in 2015 in return for Alex Harris.

But Boyle now heads off for good, first to link up with Australia for their world cup qualifiers before joining up with a side sitting 14th out of 16 in the Saudi Pro League.

In his absence Maloney handed first starts to new faces Chris Mueller and on-loan Ewan Henderson.

League One leaders Cove had won their last nine games and not lost in 15 but Hartley left 16-goal Rory McAllister on the bench.

He was without Shay Logan and Iain Vigurs while new signing Mark Reynolds was a sub. Fraser Fyvie – who helped Hibs end their Scottish Cup quest in 2016 – was in midfield.

After missing a sitter against Celtic Nisbet was on the bench, with Christian Doidge starting for the first time since August 8.

When Chris Cadden picked the Welshman out with a sweeping cross the big striker battled well to tee it up for Henderson.

But he couldn’t get out of the way in time and ended up blocking his team-mate’s shot.

When Cove did get the ball they zipped it about but couldn’t carve out an opening to test Matt Macey.

There was little to get the 5,849 inside Easter Road excited about, which would have delighted Hartley.

Mueller showed signs of what he could bring when he turned Harry Milne inside out before unleashing a shot that Kyle Gourlay did well to parry.

Henderson arced in a ball that was the type Doidge likes to feed off but he nodded wide.

Milne tested Macey for the first time when the ball dropped to him after a corner was cleared but the goalie got down to save.

Doidge had the ball in the back of the net ten minutes before the break but a rare early flag for offside meant punters knew it wouldn’t count before he did.

But they might not have realised he was actually on and the goal should have stood.

Macey’s hesitancy in distributing the ball after catching a cross had home fans voicing their frustration.

NEXT STEP Boyle may have played last game for Hibs with improved bid in from Al-Faisaly

Doidge went close again with an ambitious attempt after Henderson’s corner was flicked on by Josh Campbell. The striker swivelled to connect with an overhead kick but it was straight at Gourlay.

Then in first half injury time Cadden picked out Josh Doig whose shot flew over. Doig claimed Gourlay had helped it on its way but ref Euan Anderson was having none of it and gave a goal kick.

Hibs had looked one paced without Boyle and the break brought some boos as the players headed down the tunnel.

Maloney and No2 Gary Caldwell – one time Celtic team-mates of Hartley – had plenty to think about.

But rather than Hibs returning with purpose it was Cove who stepped forwards and created a major opening.

Mitch Megginson drilled in an effort which Macey did well to block and when the ball broke to Jamie Masson Joe Newell got his body in the way.

Then Masson fired in an effort from distance which Macey held onto.

Maloney threw on Nisbet and Jamie Murphy for Doidge and Henderson and immediately injected more life into his side.

BETTING SPECIAL - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS AND FREE BETS

Hartley responded by sending on McAllister and Reynolds for Masson and Leighton McIntosh.

But for a spell it was one-way traffic as the home side created a series of half chances they couldn’t capitalise on.

Jake Doyle-Hayes was sent on for Melker Hallberg, with Campbell moved to centre-half. As Cove tired and the clock ticked into injury time Cadden fizzed in a late cross that Mueller reached only for it to be deflected over.

Doig poked wide in the first half of extra-time then Nisbet should have scored in the second half but dragged wide.

He made no mistake moments later though – but Hibs needed Macey to pull off a last ditch stop before the final whistle.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page