Airbus UK Broughton’s Europa League adventure drew to a close in Norway last night as they bowed out of the competition in gallant fashion.

Having battled their way to a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Norwegian Tippeligaen side FK Haugesund at Bangor City’s Book People Stadium last Thursday, Andy Preece's Wingmakers were beaten 2-1 in the second leg of the first qualifying round.

Goals from Torbjorn Agdestein and Maic Sema were enough for the home side to overcome the spirited visitors, who had levelled the contest through Mike Pearson at the Haugesund Stadium last night before ending the game with 10 men after Jordan Barrow was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

The Wingmakers were unfazed by the 3,000-plus strong crowd, who vociferously backed the full-time home side, and held their own in the opening stages.

But it was the hosts who struck first when former Brighton & Hove Albion, Bath City and Inverness Caledonian Thistle striker Agdestein got free in the box before finding a way past James Coates in the Airbus goal.

Preece’s Welsh Premier Leaguers are made of sterner stuff, however, and hit back seven minutes later to stun the home crowd into silence.

Pearson was the man on target as he dispatched his 12-yard efforts past the despairing Per Bratveit after the ball broke to the defender in the area following a corner.

Airbus battled manfully against their more illustrious opponents and matched them blow for blow for much of the contest before Sema broke Wingmakers hearts in the 56th minute, shooting past Coates after being afforded too much time and space in the visiting penalty area.

Despite their best efforts, Airbus couldn’t get the all-important second away goal that would have seen the Flintshire side progress, and Barrow was given his marching orders following a second yellow card to end his evening in disappointing fashion.

Sixteen-year-old Queen’s Park High School student Aaron Hassall came off the bench late-on to make his first ever appearance in the competition, with the talented striking prospect replacing Jordan Johnson, the goalscorer in the first leg.

The final whistle signalled an end to Airbus’ European adventure and marked their first-ever defeat in the Europa League, having drawn their previous three encounters. The Broughton-based club made their debut in the competition last season, bowing out on away goals following two draws with Lithuanian side FK Ventspils.

The spoil for the victors is a trip to Bosnia in the second qualifying round, where they will face FK Sarajevo, but the Wingmakers can be proud of their efforts on the European stage.

Airbus starting XI: Coates; Owens, Kearney, Pearson, Short; Johnson, Rule, Field, Wade; Jones; Budrys.