Europa Conference League: The New Saints 1-1 Swift Hesperange

Saints keeper Connor Roberts made a crucial penalty save to deny Dominik Stolz in the second half

Rory Holden's second-half equaliser rescued a draw for The New Saints in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second qualifying round tie against Luxembourg's Swift Hesperange.

Swift went ahead in the first half through Simao Martins.

Connor Roberts saved Dominik Stolz's penalty before Holden equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

The second leg will take place at Stade de Luxembourg on Tuesday, 1 August.

The winners will meet either FC Struga, of North Macedonia, or Montenegro's Budućnost Podgorica in the third qualifying round.

Both sides had dropped into the Europa Conference League after Champions League exits last week.

Saints had been knocked out of the Champions League after a 5-1 aggregate loss to Sweden's Hacken while Swift had lost 3-1 to Slovan Bratislava over two legs.

Home goalkeeper Roberts had to be alert to make an early save to stop Dejvid Sinani and while Josh Daniels had an effort deflected for a corner it was Swift who went ahead on 14 minutes.

Saints failed to clear a free-kick from the right hand side and from Paul Ayongo's cross, Martins netted from close range.

But slowly Saints clawed their way back with Ryan Brobbel firing wide before Daniels wasted his side's best chance of the half, blazing a shot from six inches over the crossbar from Danny Davies' cross.

The hosts would finish the half stronger of the two sides and Geordan Dupire's outstanding save denied defender Ryan Astles.

Swift were awarded a penalty when Josh Pask fouled Stolz, whose subsequent spot kick was saved by Roberts.

There was another let-off for Saints when Stolz's effort hit the post before Astles cleared off the line.

That would prove crucial as ex-Port Vale midfielder Holden, making his first start for Saints after his summer move, levelled with a powerful low effort from distance which beat Dupire.

There was another reprieve for Saints during the final 10 minutes as Rachid Alioui and although Craig Harrison's side rode their luck at times the tie remains alive.

The New Saints manager Craig Harrison told BBC Radio Shropshire:

"Disappointing how we used the ball, disappointing in possession of the ball and not like us whatsoever. Really poor.

"The lads have worked and that's great and I'm really pleased and proud of that because it's quite easy to give up sometimes.

"We've got a real mentality and a team spirit but just the other side I was disappointed tonight. We didn't play as well as what we can play."