Welsh champions TNS let two-goal lead slip against Feronikeli

The New Saints conceded two late goals to draw their Champions League first qualifying round first-leg tie against Kosovan champions Feronikeli.

Greg Draper opened the scoring from the penalty spot shortly after the break before Aeron Edwards doubled their lead with 13 minutes remaining.

With 89 minutes gone, Mevlan Zeka headed in and Astrit Fazliu netted a penalty deep into stoppage time to complete the comeback.

“It’s more than a little bit disappointing because we’re two up and six minutes to go maybe,” TNS manager Scott Ruscoe told BBC Sport.

“We’re dropping and we’re deeper and deeper, yes because of the substitutions – we had to make them because they’re enforced – but we’ve got to be more streetwise and control the game more. I was shouting and screaming to try to do it but it’s easier said than done, I’ve been in that situation where you drop and drop and you’re going to entice them onto you.

“But there’s more to come, we’ve gone away from home before and got results and there’s no reason we can’t do it again.”

The two away goals have put Feronikeli firmly in control of the tie, with Saints facing an uphill task when they travel to Prishkina next week.

Cover Photo: Zellreder [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons