FK Suduva took a late lead in the first round qualifying first leg, with a goal scored by number 8 Sergej Koziuberda.

And the Saints were lucky not to go 2-0 down very late on - which might have signalled the end of their UEFA Cup hopes - as two shots were cleared off the line, one by Phil Baker.

Mike Wilde went close on 22 minutes, the ball drifting just wide of the left hand post.

Ramunas Radavicius went close for Suduva on 24 minutes, shooting wide when clean through on goal.

At half time Alex Darlington came on for his debut, replacing Barry Hogan.

Early in the second half Vaidas Salvickas beat three TNS players down the left wing before firing just over the bar.

Suduva came close on 53 minutes from a free kick, which was tipped over well by Harrison. Phil Baker was yellow carded for the original foul.

John Toner replaced Scott Ruscoe for TNS midway through the second half.

Craig Whitfield tested the keeper from 18 yards on 79 minutes. He had been on the field just one minute, having replaced Mike Wilde.

Then came the blow for the Saints, as Koziuberda struck.

But TNS will fancy their chances with the second leg still to come at Newtown's Latham Park two weeks tonight.

For more, check the website tomorrow and next week's County Times.


FK Suduva
1. Armantas Vitkauskas
5. Tomas Mikuckis
3. Marius Skinderis
19. Vaidas Slavickas
12. Povilas Leimonas
18. Bobi Bozhinovski
7. Giedrius Barevicius
23. Ivans Lukjanovs
8. Sergej Koziuberda
14 Ramunas Radavicius
11. Povilas Lukysy

Subs
55. Saulius Klevinskas (gk)
9. Giedrius Slavickas
29. Karolis Jasaitis
51. Mindaugas Gardzijauskas
16. Arturas Kerys
17. Andrius Urbsys
48 Andrius Brokas

The New Saints
1. Paul Harrison
3. Phil Baker
2. Duane Courtney
4. Michael Taylor
5. Tommy Holmes
14. Barry Hogan
6. John Leah
7. Scott Ruscoe
8. Steven Beck
9. Mike Wilde
11. Jamie Wood

Subs
15. Alfie Carter
12. John Toner
10. Alex Darlington
18. Rob Williams
17. Craig Whitfield
16. John McKenna
21. Lee Williams (gk)

Referee: Jouni Hietala of Finland