NEW SAINTS MARCH ON

DEAN EBBE’S late goal sent The New Saints into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

Striker Ebbe, on for Kurtis Byrne at half-time, netted in the 82nd minute in Gibraltar to earn the JD Welsh Premier League champions a 1-1 draw against Lincoln Red Imps and a 3-2 victory on aggregate.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Scott Ruscoe’s side fell behind to the Gibraltan champions just before halftime of their second qualifying round second leg at the Victoria Stadium when Juan Manuel Montesinos Romero netted from a corner.

Keeper Paul Harrison was forced into work during the second half, pulling off a number of saves to keep the Saints in the tie before sub Ebbe popped up with a crucial tie-winning goal, stabbing home after Blaine Hudson had got his head on Chris Marriott’s free-kick.

TNS will take on Danish champions FC Midtjylland in the next round with the first leg on Thursday night to be played at the Cardiff City Stadium – due to their Park Hall home not meeting UEFA requirements beyond the second qualifying round.

After watching his side secure their passage through, manager Ruscoe said: “It’s a mixture of emotions. Obviously with 10 minutes to go you’re hoping that someone will get the goal and dig us out and that was the case so, overall, very pleased.

“First half we struggled to put a few passes together and we weren’t our usual selves but second half we made the change and brought Dean on for Kurtis and he did well and we were able to get in behind them and finished the game very strong.”

Meanwhile for Ebbe it was his third goal in four European appearances for the Saints.

He said: “We’re delighted with the result.

“It was tough first half going 1-0 down. I wasn’t in there at half time but Scott [Ruscoe] must have told the boys off and we came out second half and got the result we needed to get through to the next round.”