St Patrick's Athletic to take lead to Azerbaijan after victory over Sabah in Tallaght

St Patrick's Athletic will take a slender lead to Azerbaijan next week but rather than travel in the comfort their dominant performance deserved, this UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie hangs in the balance.

Romal Palmer’s first half finish sent the home fans into delirium but that became second half frustration and, after the full time whistle sounded, it’s arguable that the 1-0 scoreline is a better result for Sabah who lived a charmed life while defending their goal for most of the second half with ten men.

Stephen Kenny tasted the heady heights of group stage football with Dundalk in 2016 and he took another step towards achieving the same feat with St Pat’s on his first European foray in Tallaght in eight years.

Palmer turned home Mulraney’s superb cross ten minutes from the break but despite countless opportunities, Pat's couldn’t find a crucial second goal and their first European win in Tallaght may be tinged with regret.

Azerbaijan club side Sabah looked to be in control early on with Saints stopper Joseph Anang on alert to brilliantly claw a Jon Irazabal flick off his goalline in the third minute.

Sabah’s healthy financial backing means they boast a sprinkling of international players including nine cap Jamaica winger Kaheem Parris who blazed over with the goal at his mercy after a swift counter attack.

Kenny has always had a preference for natural wingers in his side and one of the early success stories of his reign is the rejuvenation of Mulraney who is enjoying his best spell for Pat's and he inspired his side by tearing the Sabah backline to shreds.

Despite forcing a flurry of corners, eight in all, Pat's were reluctant to deliver into the box but threatened from second balls.

Yusif Imanov pulled off