STUART THE RHYL McCOY Fabulous Findlay’s Welsh rarehit hands Killie a tasty advantage after they suffer big Euro scare
STEWART FINDLAY’S last-gasp winner saw Kilmarnock avoid Europa League humiliation in north Wales.
A penalty from Eamonn Brophy and Findlay’s header spared Killie blushes as Angelo Alessio’s side came from behind to see off the Welsh Premier League part-timers.
The Scots side were trailing 1-0 with just nine minutes left courtesy of Greg Taylor’s 75th-minute own goal.
But Brophy rammed home an 81st-minute penalty to become the first Kilmarnock player to score a European goal since Craig Dargo against Viking Stavanger during a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park in September 2001.
Then Findlay, a transfer target for Oxford, bulleted a header into the net in time added on to ensure it was advantage Killie heading into the return leg at Rugby Park.
New Killie boss Alessio had made just two signings prior to the earlyseason kick-off in Rhyl with on-loan Juventus keeper Laurentiu Branescu and Dutch midfielder Mohamed El Makrini added to the squad.
Both had to be content with a place on the bench as Jamie MacDonald was given the nod over the Romanian to start in goal.
The Welsh minnows were familiar to Scots fans after they finished runners-up to Ross County in last season’s Irn-Bru Cup. Former Hibs striker Jamie Insall was listed as a sub for Andy Morrison’s side who were embarking on their fourth successive season in the Europa League qualifiers.
Brophy and Stephen O’Donnell were on the end of a couple of hefty Nomads challenges in the opening exchanges.
Rory McKenzie curled an early effort well over the top from just outside the box following a period of Killie pressure.
Alan Power was the victim of a crude tackle by Callum Roberts that was lucky not to be punished by lenient ref Erik Lambrechts.
Finally the Belgian official’s patience snapped when he produced a yellow card in 21 minutes as Roberts went in very late on Taylor.
Killie then produced a quick break after 25 minute. Taylor found Power whose defence-splitting pass sent Brophy in the clear but Nomads defender Danny Holmes rescued the situation with a superb block.
Moments later MacDonald had to look lively as George Horan’s attempted flick-on saw the Killie No.1 dive low to his right to save.
Brophy then fired in a low drive inches wide following Gary Dicker’s excellent long ball over the top.
It was incessant Killie pressure and Dom Thomas claimed a penalty for handball against Declan Poole but the referee was having none of it.
The half ended on a sour note as Nomads keeper Lewis Brass took exception to chants from the Killie supporters behind his goal.
Brass started to run towards the tunnel but suddenly turned back and got himself involved in a verbal altercation with the fans.
Killie who quickly re-established their firm grip after the break with another shout for a spot-kick when Power went down under Michael Wilde’s shove. But again Lambrechts was unmoved.
The Welsh side’s robust approach was frustrating the Ayrshiremen as for all their possession they had yet to force Brass into a save. That all changed in 58 minutes.
The Nomads keeper exacted revenge on the away fans who had given him stick when he pulled off a wonder reflex stop, clawing Brophy’s deflected effort on to the bar before O’Donnell lashed wildly over.
Six minutes later Alessio made his first substitution when he brought on El Makrini for McKenzie.
Just as the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw disaster struck for Killie after 75 minutes.
A rare Connah’s Quay foray up the park saw Roberts cross into the path of Wilde. Taylor intervened but only succeeded in steering the ball into his own net.
That was the cue for Alessio to throw on Greg Kiltie for Thomas in a desperate bid to rescue the contest.
Roberts then stumbled into Burke as he was heading away from goal and this time the ref pointed to the spot.
Brophy sent the penalty down the middle of the goal and right through Nomads keeper Brass.
And right at the death Findlay’s header from Burke’s corner completed the Killie comeback.