WELSH champions TNS have been knocked out of UEFA Champions League qualfication after conceeding a goal in the 94th minute of tonight's second leg.

A 25 yard thunder bolt from Jamie Mulgrew ensured extra time would be needed. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and one his manager, David Healy, a feared markesman for Northern Ireland's national side, would have been proud of.

The New Saints had travelled to Belfast holding a slender 1-0 lead over Linfield after last week's first leg in Oswestry.

And as the game at Windsor Park headed to full time it looked as if that would be just enough to get TNS through to the second qualifying round.

 

But in the 94th minute Jamie Mulgrew struck for the hosts to equal the aggregate score at 1-1 meaning extra time would be needed.

TNS had looked to have cleared the ball, from a corner from the right hand side, with a strong header that went flying out of the box.

But Mulgrew was able to move his feet quickly to stop the ball and hit it with his right foot from just to the left of goal and rocket it into the top right hand corner.

Border Counties Advertizer: The New Saints' Daniel Davies (right) heads towards goal during the UEFA Champions League qualification round match at Windsor Park, Belfast. Picture: Niall Carson/PA WireThe New Saints' Daniel Davies (right) heads towards goal during the UEFA Champions League qualification round match at Windsor Park, Belfast. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as just five minutes into the first additional period Ethan Devine struck to put the Blues firmly in the driving seat.

Devine had a chance, with his head, to have put Linfield 1-0 up in the closing stages of the 90 but made no mistakes when Chris McKee's square ball across the front of goal gave him the chance to win the tie.

Border Counties Advertizer: Linfield fans celebrate in the stands during the UEFA Champions League qualification round match at Windsor Park, Belfast. Picture: Niall Carson/PA WireLinfield fans celebrate in the stands during the UEFA Champions League qualification round match at Windsor Park, Belfast. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Joel Cooper had to be stretchered off with five minutes of the second period of extra time remaining and Linfield had to hold on to their lead with just 10 men.

Though TNS had some chances in extra time they were unable to get the goal required for the tie to have gone to penalty kicks.

The European adventure isn't over for TNS however as they now drop into the Europa Conference League where they will play Iceland's Víkingur Reykjavík. 

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Fellow Cymru Premier sides Bala Town and Newtown are in Europa Confrence league qualifying on Thursday evening.

Bala head to Ireland and trail Sligo Rovers 2-1 on aggregate while Newtown play their home tie, against HB Torshavn, at TNS' Park Hall ground aiming to overturn a one goal deficit following last week's journey to the Faroe Islands.

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