Shamrock Rovers 2 The New Saints 1: TNS suffer narrow defeat in Ireland

Buoyed by their shock win over Astana in their second league phase game, Craig Harrison's Saints had eyes on another three points to put them within touching distance of qualifying for the next round.

And they had that goal well within their sights when Jordan Williams fired them ahead early on in Ireland.

But goals from Johnny Kenny and Dylan Watts turned the game around before the break, and despite twice going close to levelling, the home side had a handful of chances to further extend their lead.

The Saints were unable to find an equaliser late on and now face a real uphill battle to achieve the unlikely feat of qualifying from the play-off round.

Report

It was the home side, who had picked up four points from their first two European games, who had the first chance as Aaron McEneff fired just wide.

The game began with the Irish outfit well on top as the Saints were forced to weather some early pressure, with McEneff goingclose again.

Then after keeping the hosts at bay in the opening ten minutes, they tested Shamrock shot stopper Leon Pohls, before beating him moments later.

Pohls did well to keep out Declan McManus' header - but he could do nothing as a cross was swung back into the box, and Williams poked an effort from 12 yards out to put the Saints ahead.

Despite the goal, the Saints were soon on the back foot again and midway through the half Shamrock levelled up the contest.

Watts and Neil Farrugia combined, with the latter's through ball finding Johnny Kenny and he crashed the ball in off the underside of the crossbar.

The tide of the game was well in Shamrock's favour as they tried their luck from distance on two occasions - while at the other end Josh Daniels found McManus but his effort was easily held by Pohls.

The better chances though were coming from the League of Ireland runners up, as Dan Cleary was inches away from turning home a Darragh Burns cross.

Six minutes before the break though and they had turned it around with a carbon copy of that previous move.

Burns put in another inswinging cross and this time it was Watts in the right place at the right time to turn the ball home.

In what turned into an entertaining first period with a number of chances, the Saints almost got themselves back on level terms in stoppage time.

Williams outpaced and outmuscled Clearly on the left flank but he could only fired high and wide from a tight angle.

Throughout the first half it was Shamrock who were dominating the midfield - and minutes after the restart they found space again with Josh Honohan firing just wide of the post from 25 yards out.

But despite starting on the back foot, they again had a massive chance as a ball to the back post found Williams who just couldn't get a clean contact on the ball.

The Saints then had their keeper Connor Roberts to thank as he kept out an effort from distance from Markus Poom.

Unfortunately for the Saints they couldn't get any momentum in the game as the chances kept coming at their end.

Watts jinked through two challenges before firing over - with the Irish outfit looking the more likely to get the next goal.

The Saints tried hard to push forward as Leo Smith fired wide from distance, while Shamrock substitute Graham Burke twice went close for Shamrock who closed out a deserved win to put them on the cusp of qualification. 

TNS: Roberts, Daniels, Davies, Bodenham, Redmon, Brobbel, Smith, D Williams (Wilson), Holden (Clark 75), J Williams, McManus

Subs: Pask, Cieslewicz, McGahey, Clark, Bradley, Baker, Canavan, Wilson, Edwards, Woollam, Doforo, Jones