Welsh minnows Prestatyn advanced to second round of Europa League with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Liepajas Metalurgs.
Their Latvian opponents were leading 3-2 until deep into added time when Neil Gibson gave the Welsh side a lifeline to send the tie into extra-time.
And in typical Roy of the Rovers style, the fightback was completed when former Tranmere player Andy Parkinson converted his penalty in the shoot-out before Davis Ikaunieks missed his to hand Prestatyn a 4-3 victory.
Latvia will have a representative in the next round though as Ventspils balanced the scales by beating their Welsh opponents Airbus UK courtesy of the away goal rule, the visitors gaining a 1-1 draw after the first leg ended goalless.
Another Welsh side failed to clear the first round hurdle as Bala went down 3-2 on aggregate to Levadia Tallin of Estonia. Rimo Hunt scored a hat-trick and could well be a target for some of Europe’s bigger clubs soon.
It was not a good night for Irish clubs as four sides crashed out, with Crusaders on the wrong end of a 9-3 aggregate scoreline to Rosenborg. Malmo of Sweden eased through 2-0 overall against Drogheda, while Glentoran’s hopes of progressing after holding Reykjavic to a goaless draw in the first leg were dashed as the Icelanders coasted through 3-0.
St Patrick’s are out as well after they failed to build on a superb 2-2 away draw at Zalgiris, slipping up 2-1 in the home return.
The Final will be in Turin on Wednesday May 14, 2014.
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