Highlights: Shels edge Linfield in Windsor Park thriller

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Ten-man Linfield were knocked out of the Champions League by Shelbourne following a 1-1 draw in an entertaining second leg of their first qualifying round tie at Windsor Park.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg in Tolka Park, Shels added to their advantage with Allistair Coote's precise finish on 25 minutes.

Chris Shields equalised on the night from the penalty spot, before Kerr McInroy had a goal ruled out by VAR.

Ben Hall was sent off just after the hour mark as the Premier Division champions held on to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Shels will now face Qarabag in the second qualifying round whilst Irish Premiership winners Linfield drop into the Uefa Conference League where they will come up against Lithuanian side Zalgris.

Eventful first half at Windsor

Chris ShieldsPacemaker Press

Shields kept his composure to roll home a penalty for the Blues late in the first half

Healy, ahead of his 500th game in charge of the Blues, called on his side to be better in possession in the second leg and they made a bright start in the south Belfast sunshine.

Two minutes in, Kirk Millar's deep free-kick was sent across the box by Ethan Magee, with Evan Caffrey alert to head the ball over the crossbar before Hall could get on the end of it.

Matthew Fitzpatrick then squandered a huge chance on 12 minutes.

Shels goalkeeper Conor Kearns' miscued clearance landed at the striker's feet, and he attempted to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, but his first-time lofted effort drifted wide.

Linfield were left to rue that miss when Coote opened the scoring against the run of play.

Harry Wood had a shot cleared off the line by Shields before the visitors recycled the ball to Coote, who stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

With their two-goal advantage in the tie, Joey O'Brien's side were happy to sit back and invite Linfield pressure.

They appeared to be coasting into half-time, until Linfield were awarded a penalty two minutes into first half injury time.

Tyreke Wilson handled the ball in the box and referee Andy Maddley pointed to the spot, with Shields keeping his cool to send substitute goalkeeper Lorcan Healy the wrong way.

McInroy thought he had restored Shelbourne's advantage by sweeping home after a well-worked short corner routine, but the goal was ruled out after a foul on Euan East and the Blues remained in the tie at the break.

Hall's dismissal ends Blues' hopes of fightback

Ben Hall is sent offPacemaker Press

Hall was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Odubeko

It was a similarly frantic start to the second half, with Callum Morrison guilty of spurning a golden opportunity to equalise in the tie just 20 seconds after the restart.

Healy, like Kearns in the first half, gifted the Blues possession with a poor clearance, but Morrison, like Fitzpatrick, opted for a first-time effort, with his strike saved by the goalkeeper's foot.

Their hopes of getting back on level terms were dealt another blow when Hall was sent off on 63 minutes.

Matthew Orr's mistake gave the ball to last week's goalscorer Mipo Odubeko, who was set to race through on goal before he was taken out by a cynical challenge from Hall.

With their man advantage, O'Brien's side almost added a third goal as Caffrey flashed a low shot wide of the far post after a swift counter attack, with Odubeko also having a shot saved by Chris Johns.

Shels will now look forward to facing Azerbaijani champions Qarabag, whilst Linfield's European campaign will continue in Conference League qualifying.

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