The New Saints go down fighting against Celje in Conference League finale

In what was set up for a mouth watering tie to end the league phase, both TNS and hosts Celje needed a win and for other results to go their way if they were to qualify for the play-offs.

It turned out to not just be a crucial tie but an entertaining one, as the Saints twice went ahead in the first half through Danny Davies and Rory Holden, only for Edmilson to capitalise on mistakes to pull his side back level within seconds on two occasions.

The Saints needed a big second half, but Celje pegged them back for large periods and found the goal they needed to progress through David Zec.

It was enough for Celje as the Saints bow out - but they left the competition in the knowledge that they had pushed some European big boys and defied the odds to even give themself a chance on the final day.

Report

The Saints very much had an outside chance of qualifying, as they needed a win in Slovenia and up to six other results to go for them

Celje had an early goal chalked out for offside, but they were putting the Saints under the pump, as Svet Seslar whistled a free kick just wide of the post.

However, Craig Harrison's side soaked up that early pressure and started to grow in confidence, getting into some dangerous areas.

Then with their first chance of the game they got their noses in front and gave themselves something to hold on to.

Ryan Brobbel's deep free kick from the right was met by Davies who headed back across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

But within seconds their dreams of potentially making unlikely progress to the next round took an immediate dent - with Celje taking advantage of a shocking back pass to level.

Leo Smith played an undercooked back pass to his goalkeeper, allowing Edmilson to run clear and slot past Connor Roberts.

It was a quick set back for the Saints, and they almost faced another one just moments after Ben Clark had curled an effort inches wide of the home goal.

Another Seslar free kick caused all sorts of problems and Zan Karnickin headed home at the back post, but a VAR check found a Celje player had interfered with play.

Despite looking shaky at certain moments, the Saints were holding more and more of a threat on the break, and three minutes before the interval they were back in front.

It was a goal right out of the top drawer, as Brobbel was again the provider, spinning on the half way line and playing an inch perfect long ball for Holden, who took one touch and fired home.

Again though, it was another calamity just 70 seconds later for the Saints as Celje struck immediately.

One long ball evaded a Saints backline who had stepped up, but Edmilson was onside and fired first time past Roberts to peg the Saints bag once more.

At the break the Saints were in a position where two more goals and results elsewhere remaining the same would send them through.

But Celje themselves knew nothing short of a win would be enough for them, and it showed early in the second half as they began to turn the screw.

Six minutes in and they should have gone ahead as a cross to the back post evaded everyone, but Juanjo Nieto could only turn the ball wide.

Roberts then had to step up as he has done all tournament to keep out two quick fire headers, with Celje launching wave after wave of attacks.

It was hard to see where the Saints were going to get the goals to give themselves a chance of progressing, but they almost went ahead when substitute Adam Wilson whistled one past the post.

Celje forced Roberts into two more saves before they finally go ahead for the first time in the game 12 minutes from time, as a ball over the top caught TNS and Zec tapped home from a yard out.

Celje wanted more but they were up against the Saints' star man, as Roberts again produced two top class saves to keep the Slovenians at bay.

Davies had a late chance to salvage a point for TNS, before Celje almost cost themselves a place in the play-offs by turning through their own net.

Celje had done enough though as the Saints bowed out, but the drama wasn't over as words were exchanged between Harrison and Celje boss Albert Riera at the final whistle.

Former Liverpool man Riera had to be pulled away from the melee by his own players, with scenes that threatened to spoil what was an entertaining tie.

TNS: Roberts, Redmond (Wilson 67), Pask, Davies, Daniels, Clark (Marshall 60), D Williams, Smith, Brobbel (Cieslewicz 60), McManus (J Williams) , Holden (Bradley 86)

Suvs not used: Edwards, Olosunde, Bodenham, Canavan, Woollam, Doforo