Hibs supporters who shelled out for multiple flights, accommodation, drinks and everything else will struggle to find many positives right now.
Gray pointed to one glimmer of hope: a chance to put things right at Easter Road next week. Had Lowe taken either of his two clear openings to make it 1-1, the outcome could have been very different.
For all their home strength, Malisheva have yet to win outside Kosovo in three European campaigns. Last season, Vikingur put eight past them in Iceland.
This is largely the same Hibs side that shone in Europe last season.
They pushed Midtjylland—among the Europa League’s top performers last term—into extra time, then saw off Partizan Belgrade, and only missed the Conference League after losing to Polish heavyweights Legia Warsaw in extra time.
Three years ago, after a 2-1 defeat to Inter Club d’Escaldes, Hibs hammered them 6-1 at Easter Road to advance. So while the mood is downbeat, hope is not gone.
Gray admitted that few could honestly claim they reached the required level today.
He stressed that to win any match, you need seven, eight, even nine players performing at their peak.
He said that standard is now non-negotiable at home, and every player must deliver it.
The squad is hurting, he added, but this is when they must stick together, accept the criticism, and recognise the expectations, demands, and responsibility that come with representing this club.