St Patrick's Athletic drew 1-1 with Valletta in their Europa League Second Round Qualifying match on Thursday evening.

 

Jeff Kenna's side took the lead on 37 minutes when debutant Declan O'Brien slotted in from close range after good work from Stephen Maher on the right and a touch from Garreth O'Connor.

 

However, the Maltese visitors bagged an away goal when Gilbert Agius finished well after being set up by Den Ouden on 65 minutes. That was a hammer blow to The Super Saints and it means the tie is still very much alive.

 

There have been a lot of signs of improvement for St Pat's in recent weeks and when they have their best players on the pitch they can play decent football. That was evident in Richmond Park as they bossed the opening exchanges of this European encounter.

 

Alan Cawley acted as the team's puppeteer in midfield as he pulled the strings for his team-mates, while O'Brien, who joined this week on loan from Dundalk, was a threat up front alongside the lively Ryan Guy.

 

The visitors came with a tested gameplan that saw them line up with a five-man defence that included ex-Manchester United player Jordi Cruyff. They did well to keep the hosts out after Guy, Cawley, Stuart Byrne, and Bobby Ryan all came close with efforts.

 

A goal was always on the cards for St Pat's though and O'Brien was the man to get it as the home team went in at the interval with a slender lead.

 

After the break, the game turned into a messy affair as Kenna's men appeared to lose the swagger that they had in the first period and were punished for some sloppy defending when Agius found the back of the net.

 

St Pat's huffed and puffed, but a winning goal was nowhere to be found. Even a delightful chip from Cawley went unrewarded as the Dublin side came to realise that they have to pick up a result out in Malta in order to reach the next round of qualifying.

 

St. Patrick's Athletic: Rogers, Maher, Partridge, Harris, Stevens, O'Connor, Byrne, Cawley, B Ryan (Fitzpatrick 71), Guy, O'Brien.

 

Subs Not Used: Clarke, Haverty, D Ryan, Haran, Moran.

 

Valletta: Hogg, Briffa, Dimech, Scicluna, Bezzina, Pace, Cruyff, G.Agius, Priso, Falzon (Zammit 77), Den Ouden (E.Agius 90).

 

Subs not Used: George Vella, Giglio, Grima, Borg, Grioli.

 

Referee: Mr. A. Siplailo