Local clubs can hold heads high after giving it their best shot
CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE
Ally Roy and Ronan Hale both scored for the visitors but Aleksandr Sachivko’s first-half goal was enough for Minsk to win the tie.
Glenavon travelled to Norway with more hope than expectation despite stunning Molde at Mourneview.
Eirik Hestad scored a hat-trick for the home side after Etzaz Hussain had opened the scoring with a first-half penalty.
An own goal by Vegard Forren got Glenavon back into the tie at 3-1, but an injury-time Babacar Sarr strike made it 6-3 on aggregate.
Cliftonville were on cloud nine when Gormley’s penalty levelled the tie on aggregate but FC Nordsjaelland fought back.
Substitute Godsway Donyoh made it 1-1 on the night in the 58th minute.
And Jamie Harney’s 83rd-minute own goal took the Danish club safely through.
Coleraine’s hopes were dashed at the Showgrounds as Mile Savkovic (above) headed the opening goal on 33 minutes and substitute Bojan Cecaric hit the second in injury-time.
Meanwhile, Dundalk scored twice in quick succession against Levadia to march on.
The League of Ireland side, who made it to the group stage in 2016, had won the first leg 1-0 and increased their overall advantage with goals from Patrick Hoban and Michael Duffy.
Shamrock Rovers, who Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill took to the group stage in 2011, are out after a 1-1 draw with AIK.