Europa League: Sutjeska Niksic 1-2 Linfield

Kirk Millar was on target twice for Linfield in Montenegro

Kirk Millar scored twice as Linfield came from a goal down away from home to beat Montenegro champions FK Sutjeska 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League third-qualifying-round tie.

Damir Kojasevic curled in a free-kick from outside the box to put the home side in front after 11 minutes.

Millar smashed the ball home after Vladan Giljen had saved from Shayne Lavery seven minutes before the break.

Millar dinked the ball over Giljen to put Linfield in control of the tie.

The second leg will be played at Windsor Park next Tuesday, but before that Linfield will begin the defence of their Irish League title at home to Institute on Saturday

The winners of the tie will face the losers of the Champions League clash between Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus and Qarabag of Azerbaijan, with a spot in the Europa League group stages at stake.

The Irish Premiership champions had already earned £1m in Uefa prize money by reaching this stage of the competition and will boost their coffers further if they make the play-off stage.

David Healy's side lost to Rosenborg in the Champions League qualifiers but overcame Faroese side HB Torshavn 3-2 on aggregate in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

They found themselves behind against the Montenegrin champions when goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson appeared to get a hand to Kojasevic's sweetly struck free-kick but could not keep the ball from finding the top right-hand corner.

Blues defender Mark Stafford then distinguished himself by blocking the same player's shot on the line.

The visitors levelled when Millar reacted quickest to apply the finish after Lavery had been denied by the home stopper and midway through the second half he scored his second.

Bastien Hery picked the ball up in midfield, found the run of Millar down the right and the forward exquisitely lobbed the ball over the on-rushing Giljen to complete an outstanding display by the south Belfast outfit.