TNS 0 Copenhagen 2

THE New Saints’ UEFA Champions League dreams hang by a thread following a first leg defeat to Danish giants Copenhagen at Park Hall tonight.

On a glorious evening in Oswestry it was the hosts who started the brighter with Ryan Brobbel firing over early on.

However the Danes soon threatened themselves with international Robert Skov testing his range while proving a menace on the right wing.

Copenhagen had already seen an effort ruled out for an infringement before taking the lead on 18 minutes with Cypriot international Pieros Sotiriou slotting home from close range.

Karlo Bartolec volleyed wide as the Danes continued to press with Skov continuing to work the home defence.

However the Saints weathered the storm and ended the half on top with Danny Redmond firing wide before Adrian Cieslewicz went close.

TNS looked to continue their momentum in the second-half only to be stung by a hammer blow on the hour with the Danes awarded a penalty following a foul by Keston Davies with Skov slotting home from the spot.

The Saints remained organised and looked to work their way back into the game though despite late pressure the Danes held firm to take two away goals into next week’s second leg in Copenhagen.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Davies, Harrington, Redmond, Edwards, Routledge, Mullan, Brobbel, Cieslewicz (Nembhard 75), Ebbe (Draper 56). Subs: Roberts, Marriott, Hughes, Byrne, Whitehouse