Derry push Lithuanians all the way in thriller

A BRILLIANT extra-time goal by Lithuanian international Donatas Kazlauskas ended Derry City’s Europa League hopes in Vilnius last night after a battling performance by Declan Devine’s men. In a thrilling encounter that ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, the home side found extra energy to see off their League of Ireland opponents, with Kazlauskas curling in a superb effort one minute into the extra period before Riteriai held on for the victory. Derry had opened the game strongly, taking the lead after 19 minutes when Joe Thomson fired home after a good knockdown by Ibrahim Meite. However, the home side rallied and were the stronger team for the rest of the half, equalising after 39 minutes when Gytis Paulaskas poked home after uncertain defending by the visitors. Riteriai began the second half strongly and Paulaskas struck again just under 10 minutes in when he took advantage of some sloppy Derry marking to head home from a well-delivered free-kick. But Derry, to their credit, refused to capitulate and levelled matters again after 63 minutes when Eoin Toal headed home a cross from Adam Hammill after some excellent build-up play. Both sides did their utmost to grab a winner in normal time in what was an entertaining contest of back and forth but, when extra time began, Kazlauskas worked his magic to bring an end to Derry’s ambitions.

RITERIAI: Simaitis, Dombrauskis, Sveikauskas, Malzinskas, Kalermo, Traore (Kodz, 77) Barauskas, Kazlauskas, Lezama Arteaga, Paulauskas, Grigaravicius.

Scorers: Paulaskas 39, 49. Kazlauskas, 92.

DERRY CITY: Cherrie, Cole, Coll, Hammill, Horgan, Akintunde, Dunwoody (Mallon, 56), McCormack, Toal, Meite (Harkin 85), Thomson (Clifford 73, Bruna 112). Scorers: Thomson 19. Toal 63. Referee: V Nevailainen (Finland).