The New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe admitted he was left disappointed by his side's capitulation in their Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Ludogorets Razgrad.

A Ryan Harrington own goal started a miserable night for the Welsh Premier League champions as they shipped a first-leg five-goal deficit for the second season running.

But he lamented his side's inability to take their chances and felt had they done so, they would still be in the tie going into Thursday's second leg at Wrexham.

"Of course we're disappointed by the result – we got beat 5-0," Ruscoe told TNS TV.

"We've talked about previous games, like last year were we also lost 5-0, but we tried to talk about how we've made good strides over the year but then we come off with a defeat like that.

"It wasn't the start we wanted – we looked a bit nervy, I have to admit, from the first minute. We tried to give them information about shutting down, not letting them get a foothold in the game but then they score an early goal.

"This unsettled us a bit and then the nerves came, and it's hard when things go against you.

"To be 3-0 down at half-time, it's a big uphill battle. But Dean Ebbe had a chance at 2-0 that he could have done better with but he hasn't taken it.

"I'm not having a go at him but these chances change games, just like Jamie Mullan had a chance, and one for Greg Draper too.

"A lot of player weren't at their maximum but we still had the opportunities to get that away goal."

Ruscoe admitted his hosts were far the better side, and has all-but-written off a miracle comeback next week, insisting he is more interested in how his side will perform next week.

"Ludogorets were an excellent side," said Ruscoe. "Yes we were not at our best but they had lots of competency in changing position and moving the ball.

"They've got two excellent players for every position and tonight they have really put us to the sword so to speak.

"I'm more concerned about the performance rather than the result at Wrexham next week. As long as we do everything we planned for tonight and for next week, then that's all I can ask for.

"I'm not going to tear a strip off our players, there's no point doing that. Hopefully they're as disappointed as me and at half time, there was no point me doing it.

"We needed them for the second half but now we'll assess it and work with the players on what they could have done better."