Gary Shaw pounces to give Shamrock Rovers impressive victory in Iceland

STJARNAN 0 - 2 SHAMROCK ROVERS: Gary Shaw’s first-half goal brought Shamrock Rovers victory at the Stjörnuvöllur in Reykjavik last night to mark a milestone 100th win in European club competition by a League of Ireland side.

Rovers take their deserved lead, and with that vital away goal, into next Thursday’s second leg at Tallaght Stadium as Czech side Mlada Boleslav await the winners in the second round.

Though Stjarnan started better, with skipper Baldur Sigurdsson powering a header over before Johann Laxdal wastefully blazed off target, Rovers passed their way into the game, troubling the home defence for the first time on 15 minutes.