Action from Windsor ParkPacemaker

Action from Thursday's Uefa Conference League first qualifying round second leg at Windsor Park

Paul Kelly
BBC Sport NI contributor

It was a European night of bitter disappointment for Linfield as a last-gasp goal in stoppage time saw them crash out of the Conference League at the first hurdle after a 3-2 defeat by Nomme Kalju over two legs.

Ethan McGee put his side in front early on before conceding a spot kick and receiving a red card, with Oleksandr Musolitin equalising for Kalju on the night on the rebound after Chris Johns' original penalty save.

Kieran Offord restored Linfield's lead on the night early in the second half before Mihhail Orlov's late thunderbolt levelled for Kalju on the night and sent them into the next round.

Defeat means David Healy's side's brief European campaign comes to an end and it's the Estonian side who will face Shelbourne in the next round instead.

Linfield knew if they were to turn this tie around, they would have to start fast and that's exactly what they did by hitting the front after 11 minutes.

Adam Frizzell's deep corner from the right was met by McGee who headed back across goal and into the back of the net.

Just as the Blues looked to be in the ascendancy, disaster struck as goal scorer McGee was sent his marching orders for handling inside his own box after a mix up with Chris Johns.

Johns saved Musolitin's original spot kick before the Kalju midfielder followed up on the rebound to equalise for the visitors.

Just four minutes after being introduced at the break, Offord fired home with a thunderous strike after Dane McCullough's long throw-in caused havoc in the area.

The Blues kept huffing and puffing in the second half despite their numerical disadvantage, but couldn't find a way past the resolute Kalju defence.

It looked like the tie was destined for extra-time until substitute Orlov found the top corner in the last minute of added time with a thunderous strike to seal it for the visitors.