Prishtina 4-1 Connah's Quay Nomads - Welsh champions endure tough night in Europa Conference League

Tom Moore celebrates with team-mates after scoring for Connah's Quay

Welsh champions Connah's Quay Nomads endured a tough night in the Europa Conference League as they fell to a 4-1 defeat in Prishtina.

Leotrim Bekteshi's header gave the Kosovan champions the lead five minutes before half-time with Oto John doubling the home side's advantage early in the second half.

Tom Moore's free-kick reduced the deficit after 74 minutes but Endrit Krasniqi's curling shot restored Prishtina's two-goal advantage four minutes later.

John scored his second of the game in stoppage time to seal victory and give Nomads a mountain to climb in next week's second leg.

Manager Andy Morrison was boosted by the return of captain George Horan and winger Thomas Bibby.

Both had missed the extra-time defeat against Alashkert last week, which saw Nomads exit the Champions League and drop into the Europa Conference League.

But as was the case in Armenia, Nomads once again had seen their European plans hit by Covid-19.

Nomads confirmed they were without two players following the Uefa-approved testing that recorded one positive test which saw them reduced to a squad of 16, including three youth team players.