Australia international Martin Boyle scored twice as Hibernian raced to a commanding 3-0 win over Andorran club Santa Coloma in a tetchy Europa Conference League qualifier at Easter Road.

The Socceroos ace gave Jack Ross's side the lead from the spot in the 13th minute before midfielder Joe Newell was controversially shown a straight red card after 28 minutes by Icelandic referee Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson for a challenge on defender Robert Ramos.

Boyle's second goal two minutes after the restart had 4,697 frustrated Hibs fans back in fine fettle, as did the red card handed to Hamza Ryahi Bouharma in the 67th minute for a 'last man' foul on the Australia international.

Ramos was then sent off for a second yellow five minutes later to leave the visitors with nine men.

Kevin Nisbet added a third in the 79th minute to give extra leeway for next week's second leg of the second qualifier in Andorra which should be a formality.

Visiting keeper Ramos Prada helped Hibs' cause early when he raced from his goal to follow his own clearance from a corner and clumsily brought down Hibs striker Nisbet.

Referee Thorarinsson pointed to the spot and Boyle slammed his penalty low into the corner.

At the start of the second half, which began in positive fashion for the Edinburgh side when Boyle came in from the right and sent in a shot from 20 yards which took a deflection before ending up in the far corner of the net.

The goal eased any nerves but Thorarinsson continued to frustrate the home supporters with some of his decisions, although not the one where he sent off Bouharma for denying Boyle a clear goalscoring opportunity as he went past him just outside the box.