No fairytale for Pat's

St Patrick's Athletic 1 Steaua Bucharest 2 (Agg: 1-5)

Late goals from substitutes Banel Nicolita and Razvan Ochirosii ended the already slim chances of St Pat’s advancing to the group stages of the Europa League this season.

But just as in the first leg last week, there was no shame for Jeff Kenna’s side as they rattled the slick Romanians for much of the second half before an 8,000 crowd.

While overturning the 3-0 first leg deficit was a always going to be a massive ask, St Pat’s never rolled over and rode their luck to take the lead on 49 minutes.

Declan O’Brien robbed Steaua captain Sorin Ghionea near the end line to cross and Garreth O’Connor arrived at the back post to tap home.

Five minutes later Alan Calwey’s delightful free came back off the inside of a post as a comeback looked on.

But a stunning counterattack on 80 minutes brought Steaua’s equaliser. Romeo Surdu’s ball over the top caught St Pat’s square and Nicolita, their tormentor in the first leg, ran through to shoot past Gary Rogers.

Fellow substitute Ochirosii then won it for Steaua on 89 minutes. Again it stemmed from a brilliant counterattack with Surdu breaking away to square for Ochirossii to tap home.

Though under the cosh for much of the first half, St Pat’s created its clearest opening on 37 minutes.

Ryan Guy initially did well to dispossess Ghionea in the middle of the park and work a one-two with Mark Quigley to be put in on goal. But all the good work was undone by the finish, a scuffed left foot shot that was wide.