Andy Morrison admits Gap Connah’s Quay are fortunate to be only one goal down going into tomorrow’s Europa League second leg with FK Vojvodina but insists his team still have a fighting chance of claiming another major scalp.

Nomads defended valiantly in the first leg last Thursday in Serbia with former Chester FC keeper John Danby having the game of his life in front of a hostile crowd in Novi Sad.

Vojvodina dominated the game from start to finish but despite having 87% of possession the hosts had to be content with a 1-0 victory through Aleksandar Palocevic’s deflected 86th minute strike.

And while Morrison concedes the margin of defeat could have been much greater, the fact Nomads are not out of the tie gives him heart ahead of the return fixture at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium tomorrow evening (6.45pm).

“Last week’s game against Vojvodina was an incredible experience - the atmosphere, the stadium, the occasions and the performance was a night to remember,” said Morrison.

Gap Connah's Quay line up before the game against FK Vojvodina
Gap Connah's Quay line up before the game against FK Vojvodina

“At the final whistle the players were on their knees and not in my 30 years in the game have I been involved with a team who gave what our lads did last Thursday.

“In the previous game at home in this competition against a good side from Montenegro, they won 5-0, and I don’t exaggerate when I say it could and perhaps should have been 15-0! In the third qualifying round last season, they defeated Sampdoria 4-0, such is the quality of their team, so to concede in the 86th minute was so cruel on my players and yet we go again on Thursday night.

“If we can get half of the atmosphere at Rhyl on Thursday that we got in Novi Sad last week, that will give us a lift and if we ask the same questions of them that they put on us, we will find out if they have the spirit and fight that we showed last Thursday.

“I am extremely proud and thankful to have the players I have, who represent not just Gap Connah’s Quay, but the Welsh Premier League as well.”

Danny Harrison on the ball during Gap Connah's Quay's 1-0 loss to FK Vojvodina
Danny Harrison on the ball during Gap Connah's Quay's 1-0 loss to FK Vojvodina

Nomads, who are competing in Europe for the first time, defeated Norwegian side Stabaek in the first qualifying round, drawing 0-0 at Rhyl in the first leg before beating the full-time Tippeligaen outfit 1-0 in Fredrikstad to progress.

Victory against Vojvodina tomorrow night would see Morrison’s men secure a place in the third qualifying round where Dinamo Minsk of the Belarusian Premier League or League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic await.