Draw not enough for Dundalk as they make Euro exit to KA

(KA win 5-3 on aggregate)

Sloppy defending came back to haunt Dundalk once again as they bowed out of Europe to Icelandic outfit KA in Oriel Park.

Trailing 3-1 from last week's first leg in Reykjavik when Hallgriumur Jonasson’s side scored with all three shots on target, the Lilywhites found themselves chasing a three-goal deficit when Jóan Edmundsson scored with the visitors’ first attempt on 14 minutes.

While John Martin gave Stephen O’Donnell’s side some hope with a brilliant 33rd-minute header, the Lilywhites lacked creativity and threat and Hallgrímur Mar Steingrímsson’s penalty eight minutes from time ended their slim hopes of a late revival.

Substitute Greg Sloggett did head home an equaliser a minute from time to at least see them avoid defeat on the night but it is KA who march on to face Club Brugge next week.

In the end, KA scored from five of their six shots on target across the two legs to deservedly advance, with the home side punished for defensive lapses that have now seen them fall behind 20 times in their matches across all competitions this season.

While there have been comebacks in some, this was ultimately a hurdle too far.

The home side threatened for the first time on 13 minutes with Patrick Hoban unable to direct Daniel Kelly’s cross from the right on target.

They fell behind from the resulting kick-out by Kristijan Jajalo. The goal kick was flicked on by Ásgeir Siguregeirsson, who got there ahead of Louie Annesley, Faroe Islands international Edmundsson racing through to slot past Nathan Shepperd for his first goal for KA.

Dundalk struggled to create chances in the period after that but a big one did go a begging on 27 minutes when Archie Davies’ ball up the right saw Kelly get in behind Ívar Örn