THE New Saints European adventure came to an end with a battling play-off second leg display against Bulgarians CSKA Sofia in Wrexham on Thursday night.
A gallant display had TNS take a 2-1 second-leg lead on the hour only to end the match with 10 men after Matty Williams was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining of the contest.
The Oswesty club trailed 3-0 after the first leg in Eastern Europe last week and CSKA extended their advantage by leading on the night with an 11th minute strike from Guiseppe Aquaro.
Aquaro was given the simplest of chance with his soft shot from Alexander Tonev's corner finding the net.
However TNS have developed a never say die attitide under manager Mike Davies and hit back to level on the night with a swift response leading to a 14th minute equaliser.
Scott Ruscoe's corner was glanced on by Craig Jones for summer signing Matty Williams to convert from close range.
CSKA were stunned by the riposte but regained their composure and soon tested Saints No1 Paul Harrison who had to be at his best to tip away Dimiitar Iliev's stinging effort.
Harrison continued to be the busier of the goalkeepers and was tested twice in quick succession by dangerman Christian Tiboni.
TNS were not without their moments in the first-half with CSKA goalkeeper Ivan Karadzhov forced into action to turn away a fine curling effort from Barry Hogan before Tommy Holmes was denied.
CSKA ended the half on top with Iliev firing wide from close range as TNS enjoyed a let-off on the stroke of the interval.
Despite starting the second-half under the cosh the Saints went ahead for the only time of the game on the hour with Steve Evans rising to head home Chris Seargeant's corner.
For seven minutes the TNS faithful dreamt of an historic comeback and looked to overhaul the two goal defiecit in the remaining half hour.
However on 67 minutes TNS were stunned when goalscorer Williams saw red after colliding with Bulgarian goalkeeper Karadzhov to end any lingering hopes of a TNS fightback.
With 10 minutes remaining the brave 10 men of TNS were finally broken when a 25 yard thunderbolt from Tiboni left Harrison grasping at air.
Both sides could have snatched a winner at the death with Seargeant and Ruscoe firing wide for TNS while at the other end Tiboni was denied by the outstretched Harrison.
TNS: Harrison, D Holmes, Baker, Evans, T Holmes, Seargeant, Hogan, Ruscoe, Sharp (Berkeley), M Williams, C Jones (Wood). Subs: Rawlinson, McKenna, Darlington, C Williams, S Williams
CSKA: Karadzhov, Vidanov, Yanchev, Aquaro, Trifonov, Yanev, Nelson (Kostadinov), Tonev (Delev), Sheridan, Tiboni, Iliev (Marquinos). Subs: Chavdorov, Vasilev, Saidhodza
ATT - 843
Referee: Tony Asumaa (Finland)
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