Kilmarnock gained their first European tie in 23 years to succeed in the Europa Convention League play-offs because of a objective from Joe Wright.
Wright was despatched off early in Killie’s 3-0 Scottish Premiership defeat by St Johnstone on Sunday however he was the hero on a well-known evening for the membership in Norway together with his deflected objective proving sufficient to beat Tromso.
The defender’s Eleventh-minute header was the one objective on the residence of the world’s northernmost skilled soccer membership, above the Arctic Circle, to earn Killie a 3-2 combination win.
It was Kilmarnock’s first European triumph since a UEFA Cup qualifying spherical win towards Glenavon in 2001 and units up a shot for a spot within the group stage towards FC Copenhagen.
Derek McInnes had claimed Tromso thought the tie was gained after the primary leg regardless of a late equaliser in Ayrshire from 19-year-old Bobby Wales, who began within the second leg.
The Kilmarnock supervisor’s dedication to upset the percentages rubbed off on his gamers as they took an early lead from Danny Armstrong’s nook. Wright rose properly to fulfill the out-swinging supply and his effort took an enormous deflection off the top of Vetle Skjaervik and skidded into the roof of the web.
The house facet virtually hit again instantly when Jakob Napoleon Romsaas was performed in however Robby McCrorie bought down properly to save lots of. An offside flag would probably have been overturned by VAR if the shot had squeezed previous the goalkeeper.
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Highlights from Kilmarnock’s loss to St Johnstone final weekend
The Ayrshire facet annoyed their hosts after the break. McCrorie confirmed good dealing with to carry Jens Hjerto Dahl’s low strike from exterior the field and a marginal offside determination got here to his rescue after Leo Cornic slotted the ball beneath the goalkeeper following a ball excessive.
The guests had one other let-off approaching the ultimate 10 minutes when Amadou Barry headed towards the bar from three yards.
Vassell had a beautiful likelihood to settle issues when he was inadvertently arrange by a unfastened move however the Killie captain took a heavy contact and was tackled eight yards out.
However the visiting group survived some late aerial strain with the ultimate whistle being met with delight from the 300 travelling supporters.
