SHAMROCK ROVERS suffered the disappointment of a narrow defeat to Greek stars PAOK in the UEFA Europa League Group A after a resolute display in Thessalonika.

 

The Hoops were ultimately undone by two thumping strikes from the Greek outfit but they gave their travelling support much to cheer about when Karl Sheppard put them level early in the second half.

Michael O'Neill's side had got off to a poor start when they went a goal down in the 12th minute.

A Dan Murray clearance landed at the feet of Costin Lazăr and he produced a rasping drive that flew past Hoops keeper Ryan Thompson from 25 yards out.

Rovers did not crumble despite the poor start and the home side found the Hoops defenders and midfield in determined mood not to concede a second goal.

PAOK had a chance to extend their lead in the 21st minute but Murray was well-placed to block a strike from Stefanos Athanasiadis.

Portuguese star Vieirinha was the main attacking asset in the home side's armoury and he should have extended PAOK's led in the 33rd minute when he volleyed over from inside the area.

The Hoops had a let off in the 40th minute when Ken Oman appeared to trip a PAOK attacker inside the penalty area but the referee waved play on and let Rovers off the hook.

Three minutes into the second half the sides were level. Billy Dennehy did brilliantly to win the free-kick on the right wing then stepped up to curl over the free-kick for Sheppard to head home at the back post.

It was an excellent finish for the under-21 international and it gave Rovers serious hope of securing their first point in the group.

Unfortunately that dream took a hammer blow in the 64th minute when Vieirinha found space just outside the box then produced a thumping drive past the despairing dive of Thompson.

Neither side truly looked like scoring after that but O'Neill's side never gave up and left the field knowing that they proved they could live at his level. The next step is picking up their first points in the group.

PAOK: Chalkias; Cirillo, Malezas, Etto, Lino (Sznaucner 29), Ivić, Lazăr, Arias, Vieirinha, Salpingidis (Papazoglou 88), Athanasiadis (Georgiadis 62).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Thompson; Sullivan, Stevens, Oman, Murray, Rice, O'Donnell, Turner (Finn 74), Dennehy, Paterson (Kilduff 74), Sheppard (McCabe 84).

Referee: T Asumaa (FIN)