The New Saints manager Craig Harrison believes his side edged a tightly contested Champions League first qualifying round opener, despite being held to a 0-0 draw by North Macedonian champions Shkendija at Park Hall.
In a cagey affair where both teams had moments of promise, Harrison felt the Cymru Premier title-holders carved out most of the dangerous openings — and deserved more for their efforts.
“It was a pretty even game possession wise but I think we created the better opportunities," said Harrison.
“In the first half we had three or four opportunities that we should have done better with.
“In the second half we've had a big chance and it's a good save by the goalkeeper to be fair – he's a big lad and he's got his whole frame out and kept it out.
“Maybe a 1-0 win probably would have been deserved on opportunities.”
But Harrison – who has now been around the block too many times in Europe to panic after a frustrating first leg - added: "I'm happy with the clean sheet but a little bit disappointed that we couldn't score a goal."
Harrison’s side will now travel to Skopje for next week’s second leg, with everything still to play for.
The winners will move on to face either FCSB of Romania or Inter Club d'Escaldes from Andorra in the second qualifying round.
Despite the frustration at not finding a breakthrough, Harrison was pleased with his team’s defensive solidity — particularly given this was the first competitive outing of the campaign and involved a number of new signings.
Three debutants featured in the starting XI: goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd, centre-back Dominic Corness, and club-record signing Ben Wilson, who came close to marking his first appearance with a goal but was denied in a one-on-one by Shkendija stopper Baboucarr Gaye.
Earlier, Wilson had glanced a header over from a Rory Holden delivery, while the visitors threatened through Liridon Latifi and Fabrice Tamba.
It was Saints captain Danny Redmond who produced a decisive intervention to prevent Shkendija substitute Vane Krstevski from snatching a late winner, clearing off the line after the forward had dinked the ball over Shepperd.
TNS also suffered a blow with the injury withdrawal of Leo Smith before half-time, but continued to threaten with efforts from Ryan Brobbel, Jordan Williams and Corness forcing saves or flying narrowly wide.
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This was not the first encounter between the two sides.
They met at the same stage in 2018, when Shkendija ran out 5-0 winners in the first leg before Saints restored pride with a 4-0 victory in the return — falling short on aggregate.
That past meeting provided an added layer of motivation for Harrison heading into this tie, with the TNS manager previously highlighting the chance to avenge the result from six years ago.
With everything on the line in Skopje, Harrison will be hoping his side can convert dominance into goals and take another step towards the second round — and possibly another historic European campaign, following last season’s Europa Conference League group stage qualification.
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