SHAMROCK ROVERS ensured their UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round tie with FC Copenhagen remains up for grabs after a single goal defeat in the first leg.

 

Michael O'Neill's Airtricity League champions produced a display at Denmark's famous Parken Stadion to ensure the second leg at Tallaght Stadium next Tuesday will have everything to play for.

The Danes will still be favourites to progress as the Hoops were unfortunate not to secure a precious away goal in a tight 1-0 loss.

It looked bleak for Rovers when they fell behind in the fourth minute goal from Solvi Ottesen but the Hoops never capitulated and were the better side for much of the game.

Rovers failed to comprehensively deal with a corner kick and when the ball came back in from the right Ottesen headed powerfully past Hoops keeper Ryan Thompson.

Billy Dennehy came close to levelling for the Hoops in the 28th minute. The winger dispossessed a defender close to goal but failed to beat goalkeeper Johan Wiland.

Despite long spells of impressive play, the Hoops were happy to see Thompson produced a brilliant save to keep out a header from Pape Pate Diouf early in the second half.

The Hoops had another chance to find the net in the 57th minute when Dennehy's corner found the head of Ken Oman but he was just off target with his attempt on goal.

Ten minutes later Thompson made another impressive save to keep out a strike from Christian Grindheim after the Norwegian's one-two with Diouf created a decent opportunity for the home side.

More top quality work by Dennehy created another major chance for the Hoops but this time Gary Twigg was denied by the goalkeeper.

When the final whistle blew the Rovers fans saluted their brave side and will welcome the Danes to Tallaght hoping that the lack of an away goal will not prove too costly to their Champions League dreams.

FC COPENHAGEN: Wiland; Bengtsson, Ottesen, Claudemir, Grindheim, Santin (Nordstrand 70), Pape Paté Diouf, Thomsen (Sigurdsson 46), Jørgensen, Delaney (Absalonsen 61), Bolaños.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Thompson; Sullivan, Stevens, Sives, Oman (Murray 83), Rice (Kilduff 90) , Finn, McCormack, Kelly (McCabe 54) , Twigg, Dennehy.

Referee: Pavle Radovanović (MNE)