Dundalk survive Bruno's Magpies scare to advance

Dundalk overcame some nervy moments against Bruno's Magpies at Oriel Park to book a Europa Conference League second qualifying round date with KA Akureryi of Iceland next week.

Having drawn 0-0 in Victoria Stadium a week ago, Stephen O’Donnell’s side got off to a dream start when Patrick Hoban headed them in front inside three minutes.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

However, a stunning strike from Joe brought Alfonso Cortijo’s side level with the Lilywhites having to soak up further pressure despite substitute John Martin firing them ahead within three minutes of the restart.

The game was finally put to bed seven minutes from time when Andre Dos Santos put through his own net to earn the border side a bumper pay day, with at least €550,000 now guaranteed.

Martin’s introduction proved the difference on the night as he helped sway the tie back in the home side’s favour after the Magpies began to produce the bulk of the chances, just as they had in the first leg.

O’Donnell will be well aware his side will need to up their game, however, if they are to continue their journey past a KA side who were 4-0 aggregate winners over Connah’s Quay Nomads and who recently beat Shamrock Rovers’ conquerors’ Breidablik in the Icelandic Cup semi-final.

The Louth men got off to a dream start when they hit the front with just 130 seconds played as Hoban rose above Ruben Diaz to head Darragh Leahy’s corner to the net.

The home side failed to kick on from that point, however, with the Magpies proving a threat on the break. Their first opening arrived on the quarter hour mark but Dan Bent’s effort was straight at Nathan Shepperd.

Dos Santos then fired wide with an ambitious effort on 18 minutes before Diaz came to his side’s rescue at the other end a minute