Frustrated Derry held scoreless in Faroes stalemate

Derry City were frustrated as they began their Europa Conference League campaign at HB Torshavn.

The Candy Stripes were disappointing for long periods and never really got going. Their tempo for much of this first leg encounter was slow. While Will Patching and Jamie McGonigle injected more life in their performance after the break, their possession-based performance didn't warrant a victory.

The home side, who had started the game the better, went close to taking a 14th-minute lead but Emil Berger's curling 25-yard strike, which had City keeper Brian Maher beaten all ends up, came crashing back off the post.

Moments later more good play down their right ended with Hanus Sorensen's drilled in centre finding Dan I Soylu just inside the box, but he blazed over when well placed. City decided to change things around just after the half-hour mark as they looked to get into the tie with Michael Duffy moving into a more central position.

Duffy started to become a big player for a few minutes as he teed up Paul McMullan, but the winger's shot from 20 yards was gathered by Bjarti Mork, while Cameron Dummigan's long-range shot was pushed away by the Tórshavn keeper.

Maher was called into action right on the stroke of half-time as Viljormur Davidsen's left wing cross found Mads Borchers' but his first-time, side-footed strike from 15 yards was straight at the Derry keeper. Derry made a double change at the break with McGonigle and Patching replacing Ben Doherty and Daniel Mullen.

On the hour mark McGonigle went close but his angled drive from the right hand side of the six yard box was well kept out by a diving Mork.

Tórshavn should have taken a 72nd minute lead but substitute Matthias Praest saw his close range shot saved by a fortunate