NEWTOWN face a mountain to climb in their bid to reach the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round after they were blown away by three first-half goals in Slovakia.

The Robins were beaten 4-1 in the second qualifying round first leg tie at Spartak Trnava, Slovakian champions, despite a first-half goal from Henry Cowens giving the Red brief first-half parity.

But a Bamidele Yusuf hat-trick inside 27 first-half minutes was enough to give the home side a clear edge in the tie, with a fourth added by Alex Ivan late on.

Spartak took the lead on 17 minutes when Yusuf headed home past David Jones from 10 yards out after Newtown failed to clear the ball successfully.

However, the Cymru Premier League side drew level after Cowens took advantage of poor goalkeeping, shutting down a bad touch to slot home on 23 minutes.

But the home side restored their lead on 41 minutes when Yusuf opened his body when given time to shoot and slotted home past Jones.

And two minutes later it was three as Yusuf completed his treble as he took advantage of a ragged Newtown to slot home.

The tie was put out of Newtown's reach when Ivan added a fourth with 15 minutes to go.

The Reds will hope for a reversal in fortunes when they host the Slovaks in Oswestry next Thursday (6pm).