Airbus UK Broughton will go into next week's Europa League qualifier second leg with Norwegian side FK Haugesund with all to play for after a determined performance earned them a 1-1 draw at Bangor City's Book People Stadium last night.
Despite the Norwegian Tippeligaen side being heavy favourites going in to the contest, the Wingmakers stunned their visitors by taking the lead in the first half through striker Jordan Johnson, only to be pegged back before the break as the away side claimed a vital away goal thanks to Daniel Bamberg's excellent 20-yard effort.
Airbus manager Andy Preece's men can be proud of their efforts, however, after resisting their opponents, who finished third last season in a domestic league which includes seasoned European campaigners Rosenberg, Molde and Stromgodset Drammen to name but a few, and had enough chances of their own to claim victory.
Airbus took a surprise lead on 29 minutes when Johnson, who bagged 36 goals for Leek Town last season, latched on to a pass from strike partner Chris Budrys to fire pass Per Bratveit in the Haugesund goal from close range.
The hosts began to turn the screw and Bratveit was called upon to deny Johnson and Budrys from extending the Wingmakers advantage further.
They couldn't make their pressure tell, however, and found themselves pegged back two minutes before half time when Bamberg thundered a 20-yard strike past James Coates.
The second half saw chances at a premium but when the visitors went in search of a second goal they found Coates to be in excellent form as he made two important saves late on to ensure that Airbus go into next Thursday's away tie at the Haugesund Stadion in south west Norway, with all to play for.
The winners of the tie will progress to meet Bosnian side FK Sarajevo in the second qualifying round.
