UEFA Champions League: B36 Tórshavn 1-2 The New Saints
The New Saints put themselves firmly in the driving seat after Mike Wilde's last-gasp strike earned a 2-1 first-leg victory at B36 Torshavn in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.
The night had started badly at the Torsvollor Stadium with the Saints falling behind to Hans Samuelsen's seventh minute opener, but they hit back to earn parity through Scott Quigley just two minutes later.
The Saints had the better chances but had to wait until the last minute when Wilde pounced to clinch a valuable win to put the Welsh Premier champions in charge for next Tuesday's return leg at Park Hall. The winners will face FC Videoton of Hungary in the next round.
The Saints had been stunned after just seven minutes last night when Samuelsen fired in after the visitors had failed to deal with a throw in.
But the Welsh Premier champions hit back just two minutes later with Quigley converting from close range.
Buoyed by the goal, Oswestry-based TNS enjoyed plenty of the ball as they took the game to their hosts, with Sam Finley - back from his loan spell at Wrexham - firing one effort wide from the edge of the box.
Simon Spender went close as the Saints continued to press, but Craig Harrison's side still had to be on their toes at the other end, twice clearing from dangerous situations while striker Jakup Borg drilled a shot past the post from the edge of the box for B36.
Torshavn started the second half brightly, but it was TNS who went closest to taking the lead when Wilde fired straight at keeper Torour Thomsen when well placed.
And moments later the forward's goalbound header was blocked following a terrific ball into the box by winger Adrian Cieslewicz playing against his old club.
Quigley then crashed a rasping shot inches over the bar from just inside the box, and Finley was denied by Thomsen, but it needed a terrific save from Paul Harrison at the other end to keep out Samuelsen.
The Saints finished strongly, sub Matty Williams firing over while they felt they should have had a penalty when Quigley was brought down, but referee Sven Bindels ruled the offence was just outside the box.
However, they were not to be denied in the closing moments when Wilde produced a neat finish following a pass from Chris Seargeant.
