The New Saints 4-2 Viktoria Plzen

Defender Blaine Hudson gave The New Saints a 19th minute lead at Cardiff City Stadium,

Declan McManus' hat-trick has given The New Saints a great chance of reaching the Europa Conference League play-offs following an impressive win over Viktoria Plzen.

Blaine Hudson's header put Saints ahead with McManus doubling their advantage from the penalty spot.

McManus netted a second penalty before completing his hat-trick.

Late goals from Jean-David Beauguel and Adriel Ba Loua will give the Czech side hope ahead of the second leg.

Saints are aiming to reach the play-off stage of a European competition for the first time in their history.

The late goals were a slightly disappointing end to what had been an impressive performance by Anthony Limbrick's men at Cardiff City Stadium, which hosted Saints' home leg.

Hudson's header from Leo Smith's cross set Saints on their way and McManus converted from the spot after Matej Hybs was adjudged to have handled the ball.

The visitors conceded a second penalty early in the second half and McManus made no mistake once again.

A beautifully curled finish from McManus, a summer signing from Dunfermline Athletic for £60,000, made it 4-0 with 14 minutes remaining.

French forward Beauguel pulled a goal back before Ba Loua's struck deep in stoppage time to keep their hopes alive in next week's second leg.

The winners of the third qualifying round tie will face Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia or Osijek of Croatia in the play-offs.

The New Saints head coach Anthony Limbrick told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"We are ruthless and being clinical at the moment and to score four goals against that calibre of opposition I think really says a lot about us and the players.

"I thought the players were fantastic and we can't ask for any more than that.

"We're disappointed at the end but if you would have offered us a 2-0 win at the start of this game, you would take that."