The New Saints stayed in touching distance for next week’s crucial Champions League return after losing by the narrowest of margins in Dublin last night.

A headed goal from Killian Brennan midway through the second half proved enough to separate the sides in the first leg at a rain-soaked Dalymount Park.

But the Welsh Premier League champions could take heart from the fact they more than matched the Irishmen for the first hour, before tiring legs saw them forced to dig deep to survive a spell of late pressure.

Realistic hope

TNS boss Mike Davies would have been satisfied with his side’s efforts, giving them realistic hope of progressing through the second qualifying round in the return leg at Oswestry’s Park Hall next Tuesday.

The Bohemians, currently lying third in the Airtricity Irish League, would reflect they had their chances to have increased their margin late on, with dangerman Paddy Madden twice going close while Mark Quigley rattled the top of the TNS bar.

Yet, the Saints also had their moments, starting the brighter as Matthew Berkeley put an eighth minute effort wide at the far post after Chris Sharp had stepped over a Danny Holmes cross.

Midfielder Scott Ruscoe crashed a speculative effort high and wide, Sharp then just failed to connect with a Craig Jones cross with the goal at his mercy while Jones fired narrowly wide following a Sharp cross.

The Dublin hosts had looked edgy in the early stages, but started to find their feet with in-form striker Madden getting into some promising positions.

But he failed to convert three first half openings, first unable to capitalise on a defensive slip, then missing from six yards before firing straight at keeper Paul Harrison moments later.

Spurred by a 2,500 crowd, the Bohs upped their game in the second half and found a way through in the 66nd minute when Madden’s cross was headed beyond Harrison and into the far corner by Brennan.

Madden spurned another opportunity in the final minute when scooping his shot over the bar from 12 yards and nearly added a second in stoppage time with a shot that curled just wide of the far post.

But the Saints weathered the storm to ensure it’s all to play for when they resume hostilities on Tuesday (7pm) as they look to progress for the first time in 11 years of playing in Europe.

By JOHN BRIDGWATER