Europa League: Aberdeen, Kilmarnock win first legs

Scottish Premiership sides Aberdeen and Kilmarnock have both earned first-leg victories in the first round of Europa League qualifying.

Kilmarnock overcame Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 earlier in the evening before Aberdeen beat Finland’s RoPS Rovaniemi by the same scoreline.

Killie needed a late winner from Stuart Findlay to give Angelo Alessio a win in his first competitive game in charge.

Connah’s Quay had earlier taken the lead through a Ross Taylor own goal but Eamonn Brophy levelled from the penalty spot to level.

Findlay popped in stoppage time to power a header home ahead of next week’s second leg at Rugby Park.

Aberdeen will be disappointed to have conceded a late away goal after dominating against RoPS at Pittodrie.

Niall McGinn opened the scoring with a superb finish in the first half before Sam Cosgrove doubled the lead after the break but it really should have been more for the Dons had it not been for former Kilmarnock and Hibernian goalkeeper Antonio Reguero’s performance.

Tommi Jantti broke through the defence in the 93rd minute, though, to haul RoPS back into the tie and grab a crucial away goal.

Cover Photo: Aberdeen v Dundee Utd (1) by Daniel used under license by CC BY 2.0.