Anderlecht’s expensively assembled line-up made the Saints pay a big price for a shaky start as they took a firm grip of this Champions League qualifier at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.

Two goals to the good inside the first 20 minutes, it appeared the big spending Belgians would sentence TNS to just small change on another big night of European football for the Welsh Premier champions.

Certainly, the Saints were counting the cost after some slack early defence allowed Anderlecht to take an early hold — but they clawed their way back valiantly as Craig Jones’ second half reply gave them deserved reward to take to Brussels for next Tuesday’s return leg of the third qualifying round tie.

It may prove too much of a big ask against an Anderlecht side boasting a playing budget of close to £40m, but the Oswestry-based under-dogs could take plenty of heart from a plucky second half showing in a 3-1 loss.

Having savoured their first Euro success in 14 years with last week’s famous 4-0 win over Irish champions Bohemians at Park Hall, boss Mike Davies and his charges knew they would face a far sterner test against the multi-national Belgian giants.

And so it proved as Anderlecht were soon into their stride, forcing an early opening when the lively Jonathan Legear had his goalbound shot blocked by a timely tackle from home defender Phil Baker.

Another raid on five minutes saw Mbark Boussoufa’s drive blocked by advancing keeper Paul Harrison who was then beaten moments later, only for Legear’s powerful strike to thud against the bar before being cleared.

Exposed

However, the flowing Belgians were ahead on seven minutes when, after the border men had again been left exposed at the back, the ball fell for American striker Sacha Kljestan who made no mistake to volley past Harrison from seven yards,

Ten minutes later, the Saints were facing a mountain to climb at 2-0 down when the sprightly Boussoufa linked with Legear at a corner on the right and the midfielder crashed his fierce angled shot against the underside of the bar which was ruled over the line before bouncing out.

Anderlecht, with Boussoufa’s trickery a delight, continued to make the running as TNS struggled to get a foothold in the game on a lush surface.

Left back Chris Marriott was forced off on 20 minutes with a leg injury following a block tackle on Guillaume Gillett, but substitute Tommy Holmes slotted in with steadying effect.

The Saints survived strong claims for a penalty, but slowly began to impose themselves as the half wore on, with the Belgians lacking their earlier thrust.

Skipper Steve Evans had a glimmer of a chance when sending an overhead kick looping just over from a Scott Ruscoe free kick on the half hour and moments later Craig Jones headed wide at the far post from Chris Sharp’s deep left wing cross.

But after the break, the Saints got just the start they needed when, on 51 minutes, winger Jones stole in at the far post to volley home in cool fashion from Scott Ruscoe’s well flighted cross from the left.

Buoyed by the goal, the Oswestry men started to enjoy more possession as they rattled a previously composed Anderlecht side with a couple of promising sorties.

But the visitors gained a crucial third goal in the 73rd minute when Legear’s innocuous free kick from deep was met by Matias Suarez’s precise header following some slack marking.

After that, the evening petered out, with Anderlecht happy at a job done and the Saints having done enough to show they are no pushovers on the big stage.

Victory leaves the Belgians firm favourites to progress next Tuesday, and Ariel Jacobs’ men will be hoping last night’s success proves a good omen after going on to lift the European Cup Winners Cup after their last appearance at Wrexham back in 1976.

JOHN BRIDGWATER reporting