Motherwell’s Europa Conference League hopes over after defeat by Sligo

Motherwell’s Europa Conference League aspirations ended in embarrassment as another defeat by Sligo Rovers saw them exit the second qualifying round 3-0 on aggregate.

Graham Alexander’s men trailed 1-0 from the first leg at Fir Park and the return match at The Showgrounds had just entered its fourth minute when defender Shane Blaney curled in a delightful free-kick from 25 yards to double that lead.

The Lanarkshire side’s response was poor and a performance that lacked conviction and quality was made worse when substitute Max Mata added a second in added time for a 2-0 win which drew further ire and anger from the 300 Well supporters.

The battling home side deserved their win and meet Viking in the next round.

By contrast, it was a miserable night for the Steelmen who will begin their cinch Premiership campaign away to St Mirren on Sunday under a European cloud and boss Alexander will come under the spotlight.

The pressure was on the Steelmen going into the game and, while John Russell’s side were unchanged, the visitors made one change with Ross Tierney in for Connor Shields.

The match was still settling down when the League of Ireland Premier Division outfit took the lead, after Well defender Bevis Mugabi clumsily conceded a free-kick for a challenge on former Falkirk striker Aiden Keena, who scored the only goal at Fir Park.

Blaney stepped up and, to the delight of the Rovers fans, whipped in a shot which sailed over Motherwell keeper Liam Kelly and into the top corner.

In the 13th minute Well defender Ricki Lamie had the ball in the net following a Blair Spittal free-kick into the Sligo box but Swedish referee Bojan Pandzic ruled an infringement for offside.

Motherwell lacked creativity and cohesion and could not