Dundee United produced a heroic performance to beat Polish side Slask Wroclaw at Tannadice but still headed for an agonising Europa League exit on the away goals rule.
Peter Houston’s side were trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Poland last week but made a dream start to the second leg racing into a quickfire lead with two goals from Keith Watson and David Goodwillie in the opening five minutes.
They were pegged back by a Rok Elsner header but the home side regained their advantage in the tie when skipper Jon Daly netted from the spot just before the break.
However, United hearts were broken by a spectacular Sebastian Dudek second-half goal to send the Poles through to the next round against Lokomotiv Sofia.
Houston insisted his team can hold their heads high despite becoming the latest Scottish club to be dumped out of Europe at the first round.
Although he did admit that his side are still ruing the two glorious chances they passed up in the first leg last week in Poland, he said, “We have nothing to be ashamed of. No doubt an issue will be made about another Scottish team going out in the early rounds but I don’t think that’s fair. It took a wonder goal to beat us.
“We had two glorious chances away from home in Poland last week and that’s what has killed us. I am gutted for the players because they put everything into the game.”
United skipper Jon Daly admits the defeat was hard to stomach but reckons they can be proud of their performance.
He said, “It is tough to lose and everyone is really disappointed to go out on away goals. It was a wonder strike that put us out. Nine times out of 10, you are happy for him to hit it from that distance.
“But that one time it has just flown into the top corner. I thought we came out of the traps really well and at 3-1 up we thought we were going through, so it is really hard to take.
“Last year against AEK Athens no one really gave us a chance and it was similar this time round. I think we have proved a lot of people wrong with the way we have played.
“It is disappointing but we need to bounce back on Sunday to make sure we come out of the traps in the league.”
Slask coach Orest Lenczyk said, “After losing two goals, you would think that the game was over but my players did not give up.”
Daly continued, “I think if there are lessons to be learned they are that you have to take your chances in the first leg. We had two really good opportunities in Poland and, at this level, you really need to take one of them.
“If you were on the outside looking in, you could be mistaken for thinking ‘here we go again’ with another Scottish football failure but anyone who was at the two games would probably think we were unlucky not to go through.”