Tam McManus scored a crucial away goal for Derry City in their Europa League Second Round Qualifying match as they drew 1-1 with Skonto Riga.

 

And it's advantage to Stephen Kenny's men for next Thursday's game at the Brandywell, the Dubliner delighted with the performance given that Derry had fallen a goal in arrears before the opening 20 minutes.

 

Facing a journey into the unknown, the Derry hero on the night was their lone frontman, Tam McManus, who levelled matters one minute before the break and from that point, the pendulum began to swing the way of the Brandywell club.

 

However, Skonto opened the brighter and that early pressure certainly reaped dividends when their lively striker, Carvalaho Junior, played an integral role in the move which led to the goal.

 

The Brazilian gained possession on the left and his curling cross saw the unmarked Igors Kozlovs burst into the box, the midfielder's diving header giving Gerard Doherty no chance from 12 yards.

 

And Riga maintained that pressure as Derry attempted to gain control of the situation. But they did weather the storm with Doherty diving low to his right to smother a dangerous shot from Junior.

 

With McManus receiving very little change from Vitalijs Snirnovs and Skonto captain, David Gamezardashvili, both players standing well over 6' tall, the courageous little Scot grabbed his just rewards with just one minute remaining to half-time.

 

Ruairdhri Higgins took the control of the ball and when he finally fed Mark Farren, the Donegal man flighted the perfect cross which was met by the alert McManus and Derry were back in business.

 

No doubt, the visiting changing room will have been a happy place during the break and it was Derry who more or less controlled the second period and, indeed, could have nicked another goal had luck been on their side.

 

Predictably Skonto attempt ed to boss the ball but Derry's slick passing movements continued to cause them problems.

 

That said, Olegs Laizans and Aleksandrs Fertovs both went close when on the break as the Derry defence stood tall.

 

As the game moved into the final minutes, Ciaran Martyn could have grabbed the spoils but he failed to keep his shot down, the ball ballooning over the crossbar while Gareth McGlynn went so close with an 84th minute header following Farren's teasing cross.

 

And substitute, Thomas Stewart, also had a chance when his low shot from an acute angle was blocked out at the near post by Skonto keeper, Germans Malins.

 

Meanwhile, last night's game had been threatened with postponement when a heavy afternoon thunderstorm actually flooded both the pitch and the dressing rooms.

 

However, after hard work by Skonto officials, the match was given the go-ahead about an hour before kick-off.

 

Locals claims that four days of rain had pouring down with the space of an hour and it was an amazing feat to clear the surface water away.

 

Now it's back to Brandywell for next Thursday's game and with a big home support behind them, Derry surely have every chance of winning their way throught to the third round and, possibly, a draw with one of the big Italian clubs. That draw, incidentally, will take place today in Switzerland.

 

"I was concerned with the opening 20 minutes when they came out of the blocks well, but I was impressed with our second half performance as I felt we controlled the match.

 

"Scoring an away goal was crucial and while we can take nothing for granted, we're still in with a chance of progressing to to the next round," said Kenny afterwards.

 

"But first we have to focus our thoughts on Sunday night's game against Bohemians as that's another vital game for us."

 

Skonto Riga: Malins, Golubevs, Hscamoniqs, Gamezardashvili, Smirnovs, Kozlovs, Fertovs, Laizans (Agaeonov 77) Carvalho, Semjonovs (Cauna 61), Tarasovs.

 

Derry City: Doherty; O'Brien, Delaney, Hutton, Gray (McCallion 80); McGlynn, Martyn, Molloy, Higgins, Farren (Stewart 85); McManus (Morrow 80).

 

Referee: Mr. A. Tussen (Luxembourg)