A STUNNING four-goal solo show from Macedonian international Besart Ibraimi has left The New Saints’ Champions League dreams in tatters as they were thrashed by KF Shkendija last night.

The 31-year-old, capped nine times by his country, scored four stunning efforts to leave Scott Ruscoe’s men dumbfounded on a difficult night for the Welsh Premier League champions.

Saints fell a goal behind when Izair Emini slotted home coolly from inside the six-yard box on 14 minutes after TNS debutant Ben Cabango was caught dwelling on the ball, and it as no more than the home side deserved.

Dean Ebbe, selected ahead of Greg Draper and new man Kurtis Bryne, tried to lift the ball over Kostadin Zahov’s head inside 20 minutes, but the home keeper collected comfortably.

Just after the half-hour, Saints forced their first corner of the game when Chris Marriott tested Zahov but the one-time Macedonian international keeper saved with his legs.

However, minutes later, TNS were re-alerted to the home side’s danger on the counter-attack as Junior fired over.

And it was a warning not heeded by Saints as Ibraimi doubled Shkendija’s lead on 38 minutes with a low powerful shot that evaded Harrison and nestled into the net.

Saints would have had a rocket from Ruscoe at the half-time break and it showed as Ryan Brobbel went close minutes after the restart but his effort was deflected just past the post and out for a corner.

But it was game, and probably tie over, when Ibriami scored his second and Shkendija’s third on 53 minutes as the Macedonian international fired in a spectacular long-range effort.

TNS’ misery was compounded when Shkendija added a fourth on the hour as Ibriami fired home a free-kick which Harrison could do little about to give the Macedonian his treble.

A night of hell for Saints was capped – as Ibriami celebrated a night to remember – with his fourth goal of the night, with Harrison completely unable to stop yet another outstanding goal for the hosts on 66 minutes to make it five.

TNS: Harrison, Spender (Lewis 73), Hudson, Cabango, Marriott, Holland Routledge, Brobbel, Redmond (Edwards 68), Mullan, Ebbe (Byrne 65).

Subs not used: Roberts, Draper, Cieslewicz, Nembhard.