Agony for Crues after shootout defeat against Caernarfon

Crusaders fought back valiantly to take the game to extra-time, but were ultimately beaten on penalties

Caernarfon Town defeated Crusaders on penalties to advance to the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.

The away side had a two-goal cushion coming into the second leg and Paulo Mendes extended the Cymru Premier side's advantage in the first half.

Two goals in three minutes just after the restart gave Crusaders the lead on the night, with Philip Lowry levelling the tie on 72 minutes.

After seven converted penalties each, both goalkeepers made good saves before Marc Williams scored after Jordan Owens' effort had been saved.

Strong start by Caernarfon

Mendes' strike gave Caernarfon a three-goal lead in the tie

It was a dominant start from the away side, who were playing only their second ever European game.

They further extended their advantage on 25 minutes when Crusaders failed to clear a Darren Thomas corner and Mendes controlled the loose ball and sent an unstoppable strike past Jonny Tuffey.

Shortly after the opener Jacob Blaney found himself in a good position, but Stephen McMullan palmed his effort away before gathering Clarke’s follow up strike.

The Welsh side continued to enjoy majority of the possession until the break, with the home side struggling to test McMullan.

Crusaders fall short of remarkable comeback

Substitute Owens missed the vital spot kick in the shootout

The Crues started the second half with intent and levelled the game less than a minute after the restart when Clarke's free-kick from distance was misjudged by stopper McMullan and found the back of the net.

Crusaders took the lead in the 49th minute when the industrious Clarke's corner was headed home by Daniel Larmour from 10-yards out.

Lowry levelled the aggregate score after James Teelan's long throw-in caught the away side's defence sleeping with the captain taking a clever tough before travelling forward and firing a strong strike into the bottom left-hand corner.

Neither side could find a breakthrough in extra-time with the home side arguing they should have had a penalty when Jay Boyd's cross into the box appeared to strike the hand of a Caernarfon Town player.

However, referee Heini Ziskason Viooy waved away the appeals.

After some superb spot-kicks and saves, it was substitute Owens who saw his spot-kick saved before Williams converted to help the away side edge through 8-7 on penalties.

They will now face Legia Warsaw in the second qualifying round next week.