Brennan bucks up Bohemians

Killian Brennan's 66th-minute goal gave Bohemian FC the advantage over The New Saints FC in their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie.

The Dublin side had the best of the chances but the Welsh champions held out until midway through the second half when Brennan struck. Patrick Madden came close to doubling the lead late on but TNS will retain hope for the return at their home on the English border next Tuesday.

Madden had the first clear chance after 20 minutes, intercepting a clearance, but his close-range shot was deflected by a defender then saved by TNS goalkeeper Paul Harrison. At the other end winger Craig Jones was sent clear by Phillip Baker's long pass and put in a cross, turned narrowly wide by Chris Sharp. However, Bohemians retained the initiative and just before the hour Harrison was forced into another save when Madden connected with Raffaele Cretaro's ball through the middle.

Seven minutes later Harrison was beaten by Brennan's header after Madden crossed from the left. Madden hit the crossbar from distance with eight minutes left but the side currently fourth in the Irish Premier Division can have hope of improving on last season's showing, when they fell at this stage to FC Salzburg; Bohemians also bowed out at the same stage in their other UEFA Champions League campaigns in 2001/02 and 2003/04.