Dundalk facing tough task after bruiser in Belarus

BATE Borisov 1 Dundalk 0: Substitute Mikhail Gordeichuk’s 70th minute strike for BATE Borisov in the Borisov Arena last night finally broke Dundalk’s resistance to leave the League of Ireland champions with it all to do if they are to realise their Champions League dream.

A backs to the wall performance from Stephen Kenny’s side looked as though it would earn them a draw to take back to Tallaght Stadium next Tuesday.

However, a mistake by Sean Gannon 20 minutes from the end was punished to the extreme, meaning the Louth men face an uphill task if they are to become the first Irish club to reach the playoffs of Europe’s premier club competition.