Boss Kenny in firing line as Rovers crash out

Shamrock Rovers’ European adventure of last year won’t see a repeat in 2012 as they bowed tamely out of the Champions League in Lithuania last night.

Goals from Marko Andelkovic and Zilvinas Kymantas did the damage at the Aukstaitijos Stadium in Panevezys as a far from accomplished Ekranas simply had too much for Rovers.

A stoppage-time penalty from Gary McCabe gave Rovers belated hope. However, truth be told, but for Oscar Jansson, who made a string of top saves, it would have been more as Rovers’ season continued its decline.

Having lost the support of many fans, manager Stephen Kenny is now under increasing pressure as the 200 or so at the game once again chanted for his removal.

Kenny said afterwards that he fully understands fans’ growing frustration with the Hoops’ poor season to date.

“It’s a fans driven club and much has been invested in it. They have been used to success in last two seasons,” he said. “I can understand their frustrations, that’s part of life, when people put so much time and emotion into things they can get frustrated when they don’t go well.’’

Kenny had no complaints about last night’s defeat, insisting Rovers blew their chance in Dublin.

“There is no doubt that Ekranas created a lot more chances than us on the night,’’ said Kenny. “Our passing was erratic and we made some mistakes.’’

Encouraged by their 0-0 draw at Tallaght Stadium, Ekranas started much the better and should have gone ahead on 21 minutes.

A brilliant diagonal ball from Yani Urdinov caught out Rovers left-back Conor Powell but Vytautas Luksa was denied by Jansson.

Rovers slowly worked their way into the game, enjoying some decent possession, though without seriously threatening the Ekranas goal.

And then, just went they looked their most comfortable in the match, Rovers conceded a dreadful goal from virtually the last kick of the first half.

Giedrius Tomkevicius initially won a free-kick in a tussle with Rovers’ Billy Dennehy on the right. The ball was played into the area and back to Tomkevicius, whose cross was met by the negligently marked Andelkovic with a glancing header to the net.

Rovers now had to score and they came out with the right attitude, getting at Ekranas from the resumption. McCabe’s superb cross deserved far better three minutes in than for Dennehy to completely miss it dead in front of goal.

Ekranas played on the break and should have doubled their lead on 54 minutes, only for Kymantas to fluff his lines.

But Kymantas made no mistake to put the tie to bed on 63 minutes when he ran past three defenders before finding the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards.

McCabe threw Rovers a late lifeline from a 92nd-minute penalty following a handball by Vitalijus Kavaliauskas.

Craig Sives had a last-gasp chance to give Rovers an undeserved away goal win but headed McCabe’s free-kick wide with seconds left.

FK EKRANAS: Zubas; Tomkevicius, Dedura, Samusiovas, Urdinov; Andelkovic (Girdvainis 87), Kucys; Luksa (Kavaliauskas 90), Varnas, Vertelis (Umeh 80); Kymantas.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Jansson; Sullivan, Sives, Oman, Powell; Rice (Kavanagh 63), Brennan (Turner 64); McCabe, Finn, Dennehy (Kilduff 78); Twigg.

Referee: Salvo Vincic (Slovenia).