Rhys Abbruzzese was one of two Haverfordwest players who saw red on a night of frustration for the Pembrokeshire club
Nine-man Haverfordwest County were beaten in the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round as Maltese side Floriana claimed a 3-2 victory in a bad-tempered contest at Parc y Scarlets to win 5-3 on aggregate.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Haverfordwest seized control of the tie in a dominant opening spell, with Greg Walters scoring from a corner and Ben Ahmun finishing stylishly to give them the aggregate advantage.
But Haverfordwest's early joy gave way to frustration on a night when boss Tony Pennock and two of his players were sent off.
Floriana quickly pulled a goal back through Carlo Lonardelli's deflected shot and then levelled as Alaric Jones received the night's first red card before the break.
Having been booked for a heavy challenge in the opening exchanges, centre-back Jones was shown a second yellow card when he stuck out an arm in the box and Mustapha Jan tumbled to the ground.
Jake Grech coolly converted from the spot to give Floriana a 4-3 aggregate advantage at the break.
Ahmun struck the outside of the post early in the second half, but the disappointment continued for Haverfordwest as Pennock was sent to the stands for kicking the ball away when it rolled into his technical area.
Charles M'Mombwa's sharp turn and finish put the result beyond doubt - but there was more misery for the home side in stoppage time when Rhys Abbruzzese became the second player sent off, with both bookings coming as a result of County's frustration.
Haverfordwest's biggest disappointment was the contentious penalty incident, as had been the case after a dubious spot-kick gave Floriana victory in the first leg nine days earlier.
Pennock's men are left to wonder what might have been having missed out on what would have been just the second victory in a European tie in the club's history.
Haverfordwest were on course for just to turn the tie around after early goals from Greg Walters and Ben Ahmun, but they lost control of the contest after Alaric Jones' red card
Haverfordwest boss Tony Pennock said:
"The boys started brilliantly. We get two goals up and they (Floriana) looked at sixes and sevens.
"They got the deflected goal, it's one of those things, then we settled down again. But the second yellow and penalty on the stroke of half-time... it's uphill from there.
"Then my head goes. There was a lot going on and I let it get the better of me. At my age I should know better so I apologise to the boys and the club for that one.
"I have seen the penalty decision back once. It's not an elbow. He has got his arm out but the big centre-forward was on the floor more times than either goalkeeper. It was the same out in Malta.
"He has gone down and the ref has gone with him. A penalty and a second yellow - it's a tough one.
"The players are really disappointed because it was a really good opportunity and unfortunately it's passed us by."
