Europa Conference League: Bala Town 1-2 Sligo Rovers

Lassana Mendes had given hosts Bala Town an early lead

Bala Town face an uphill task after losing the home leg of their Europa Conference League first qualifying round encounter with Sligo Rovers.

The Cymru Premier hosts took an early lead when the ball fell kindly for Lassana Mendes to smash home.

Max Mata hit the post for Sligo before Aidan Keena equalised with a lob over Alex Ramsay.

The Irish side took the lead when Mata scored from close range after a corner but had Nando Pijanker sent off.

Sligo played the last 11 minutes with 10 men after Pijanker was shown straight red for bundling over Dave Edwards as he bore down on goal.

Pijanker will now miss the second leg at The Showgrounds on Thursday, 14 July.

Sligo qualified for Europe after finishing third in the League of Ireland Premier Division last season.

John Russell's Sligo are fifth in the table and went into Thursday's European game at Oswestry's Park Hall unbeaten in five matches.

Bala's best ever season in Europe was two years ago when they beat Malta's Valletta 1-0 in a one-legged Europa first qualifying round tie before a narrow 2-0 defeat by Belgian giants Standard Liege.