Larne, Linfield and Crusaders all bow out of Europa Conference League

Irish League sides Larne, Linfield and Crusaders all exited the Europa Conference League after second-leg defeats. Champions Larne were beaten 4-1 on the night by Kosovo side Ballkani to lose 7-1 on aggregate.

Nazmi Gripshi's first-half double put the Kosovan champions in control and Albion Rrahmani added a third inside the first minute of the second period. Larne reduced the deficit through Lee Bonis's penalty, but Ballkani killed off any faint hopes of a comeback when Almir Kryeziu struck their fourth in the 66th minute.

Linfield bowed out 8-4 on aggregate against Pogon Szczecin after losing 3-2 in the second leg in Poland. The Irish side, who faced a tough task after losing the first leg 5-2 last week in Belfast, led 1-0 at the break through Jamie Mulgrew.

Efthymios Koulouris equalised for Szczecin and although Kyle McClean put Linfield back in front, Linus Wahlqvist's penalty and a Vahan Bichakhchyan strike ensured victory for the hosts. Crusaders winger Paul Heatley was sent off a minute after firing an equaliser as his side were edged out by Rosenborg 3-2 on the night in Norway to lose 5-4 on aggregate.

After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, Philip Lowry cancelled out Jayden Nelson's opener for Rosenborg just before half-time and the aggregate score was level at 3-3 after 90 minutes. After Isak Thorvaldsson had put the Norwegians back in front in extra time, Crusaders hit back through Heatley, who was then dismissed for a second bookable offence and Leo Cornic snatched Rosenborg's winner.