Fehérvár 1-1 Bohemians

(Fehérvár win 4-2 on penalties after extra time)

BOHEMIANS’ EUROPEAN ADVENTURE ended in penalty heartbreak as Féhervár booked their place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

Dan Casey and Kris Twardek both missed crucial spot kicks in the shootout after the sides couldn’t be separated following a tight and tense 120 minutes at the Sosto Arena.

Keith Ward had given Bohs the perfect start as they made their return to European football for the first time in eight years.

He opened the scoring following a fine pass from Twardek to put Bohs 1-0 up on 22 minutes.

But the visitors’ lead was shortlived as Rob Cornwall conceded a penalty which allowed Nemanja Nikolic to level things up on 37 minutes.

Bohs were dealt a blow when Cornwall was forced off injured with 19 minutes to play.

And goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness reacted excellently to deny Fehérvár with their best opportunity in the closing stages, getting down to make a smart stop from Evandro.

Ward very nearly broke the deadlock with his second goal following a mazy run in the first half of extra time.

The hosts had their chances too with Mate Patkai flashing a shot over McGuinness’s bar four minutes from time.

The Bohs stopper looked set to be the hero of the night when he saved Fehérvár’s first penalty from Armin Hodzic.

But after Danny Mandroiu and Conor Levingston both converted, Casey hit the butt of the post and Twardek fired wide to send Bohs crashing out.

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