Europa League: Crusaders knocked out after battling draw against Olimpija Ljubljana

Cusaders were knocked out of the Europa League after a battling 1-1 draw against Olimpija Ljubljana.

Paul Heatley's clinical finish earned Crues a deserved share of the spoils at Seaview after Nik Kapun's low strike had put Olimpija ahead.

The Slovenian side progress to the third qualifying round 6-2 on aggregate win thanks to their first-leg win.

Stephen Baxter's side will begin the defence of their Irish League title on Monday when they play host to Ards.

Olimpija Ljubljana will play Finnish side HJK Helsinki in the next round of qualifiers.

Crusaders unveiled new signing Rory Patterson before kick off at Seaview

Crusaders unveiled new signing Rory Patterson in front of their fans before kick-off but with regular striker Jordan Owens absent through injury, it fell on Heatley to lead the line for the hosts.

Needing a fast start if they were to have any chance of overturning their 5-1 first-leg defeat, the Premiership champions fashioned the first chance of the evening when Heatley pounced on a loose ball but his shot flashed wide of the post.

Declan Caddell also saw an early glancing header go straight at Olimpija goalkeeper Nejc Vidmar as they battled to revive the contest.

But it was the visitors that took the lead in the 15th minute when Aris Zarifovic made a driving run from midfield before finding Kapun on the edge of the area and his powerful shot flew past Sean O'Neill in the home goal.

Kyle Owens nearly equalised within minutes but he was unable to keep his header on target and Heatley had another chance saved by Vidmar.

O'Neill was also called into action at the other end, denying Branko Ilic with his legs before standing up to a shot from Haris Kadric.

Crues drew level just four minutes before half time when a quickly taken free kick caught the Olimpija defence unawares and Matthew Snoddy's knock down fell into the path of Heatley, who applied the finish.

Crusaders Jordan Forsythe evades the challenge of Olimpija's Nik Kapun

The half-time introduction of Kingsley Boateng gave Olimpija an added cutting edge in attack at the start of the second half with the winger's pace creating problems for the home defence.

Neither team was able to create a clear scoring chance until after the hour mark when Caddell made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Rok Kronaveter.

Heatley had a penalty appeal turned down before Jordan Forsythe's long-range effort forced a diving save from Vidmar but at the other end Rodney Brown had to hack off his own line.

The increasingly influential Kronaveter wasted two late chances to earn a win for his side but Olimpija were content to hold out for a draw that secures their place in the next round.