Double late heartbreak for Cymru Premier teams in Europe

Bala Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads both suffered agonising exits from the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

The Cymru Premier sides had a more than decent chance of joining Caernarfon Town in the second qualifying round after the first legs of their respective ties.

Nomads took on NK Bravo of Slovenia at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor, leading 1-0 from the away leg, while Bala trailed Paide of Estonia just 2-1 ahead of the return at Pärnu Rannastaadion.

Sadly, Nomads were undone by two late goals – one in normal time and the other in extra time – as they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate.

And Bala also ended up first qualifying round losers having taken an early lead against Paide through Nathan Peate which forced extra time.

They were minutes away from penalties only to be denied by a goal in extra time overtime..

Welsh Cup winners Nomads were two minutes away from the second qualifying round.

Nemanja Jaksic fired home after 88 to put Bravo 1-0 up on the night, necessitating extra-time.

The Slovenian full-timers doubled their lead to seal a 2-1 aggregate win with five minutes of extra-time left through Matej Poplatnik’s header.

Peate’s first half goal , a header from a Lassana Mendes corner, had given Bala the lead in Estonia to level the tie on aggregate.

Town’s George Newell and Kieran Smith went close, while the hosts had chances to win the tie, but Bala held out for extra-time.

Sub Josh Ukek so nearly edged Colin Caton’s men ahead with a free-kick that flew past the post.

Bala had to play the final nine minutes of extra-time with 10 men, after Alex Downes was sent-off for a second yellow card.

But with the game seemingly heading for penalties, Bala hearts were broken in stoppage time when Oskar Hoim scored put his side through 3-2 on aggregate.

Painful shades of FC Differdange 03 in 2015 all over again for the Lakesiders.

Football can be such a cruel game.