The New Saints' first-half red card was given after a lengthy VAR check
The New Saints have been knocked out of the Europa League after a 0-0 draw against Moldovan champions Petrocub in the third qualifying round.
The Cymru Premier champions went into the match at Park Hall trailing 1-0, Donalio Douanla's strike proving the difference in last week's first leg.
Saints' job was made harder in the 40th minute when Jordan Williams was shown a straight red after catching Ion Jardan with a swinging elbow.
Petroclub's numerical advantage lasted just seven minutes, however, as Dan Puscas was shown a second yellow card for a sliding tackle in first half injury time.
With both teams down to 10 men, the game opened up in the second half, and Vladimir Ambros forced Saints keeper Connor Roberts into a smart close-range save on the hour mark.
At the other end Daniel Redmond fired a volley just wide of the post before substitute Declan McManus was off target from inside the area.
Petrocub almost sealed their place in the Europa League play-offs, but Roberts came off his line bravely to collect the ball from the feet of Ambros.
And despite throwing everything at the Moldovan side in the seven added minutes, Saints could not find a breakthrough to level the tie.
Defeat means Craig Harrison's side will now play in the play-offs to reach the group stages of the Europa Conference League.
TNS will play the losers of the Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC and FK Panevėžys, with Tel-Aviv currently 2-1 up on aggregate.
Victory in that match would see TNS become the first Welsh side from the domestic leagues to move beyond the qualifying rounds to the group stages in a European competition.
