Q Radio Sport
Irish League interest in Europe has ended for another season after a dramatic night of Europa League action at Windsor Park and The Showgrounds.
Linfield crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat against Maltese champions Floriana in their second qualifying round tie.
The visitors needed just nine minutes to open the scoring when Tiago Adan found Matias Garcia who saw his low shot deflected past Chris Johns into the bottom corner.
Linfield's task was made more difficult with just over a quarter-of-an-hour to go following Ross Larkin's dismissal for a second caution.
FT: Windsor Park@OfficialBlues 0@Floriana_FC 1
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 17, 2020
Shock as 10-man Linfield lose to Maltese visitors. Ross Larkin sent off for the Blues.
Goal on 9 mins. Devastating defeat for David Healy's men in 2nd qualifying round. They are out of Europe.#EuropaLeague #UEL pic.twitter.com/MSClrSKrJP
Coleraine fought back from 2-0 down to force extra-time, then penalties against Motherwell.
They pulled a goal back four minutes into the second half, Ben Doherty converting from the spot after he had been pushed inside the box by Mark O'Hara.
And Oran Kearney's side thought they had equalised just before the hour but Gareth McConaghie's finish was ruled out offside.
They did get back on level terms a minute from the end of normal time. Substitute Eoin Bradley was brought down by Bevis Mugabi - who was duly dismissed for the challenge - and Doherty stepped up to knock home his second penalty of the evening.
Coleraine tried to make their numerical advantage count in extra-time, almost edging in front early in the second period when Bradley hit the bar.
However, it needed penalties to separate the sides. Stephen Robinson's team proved to be clinical from the spot, finding the net through O'Hara, Watt and Stephen O'Donnell to comfortably win 3-0 after Ian Parkhill, Lyndon Kane and McConaghie saw their efforts all saved by Trevor Carson.
All over at Showgrounds & it's a heartbreaking defeat on penalties for @ColeraineFC
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 17, 2020
NI keeper Trevor Carson the hero for @MotherwellFC, saved three spot kicks in shoot-out, 3-0 on pens
Just wasn't to be for the Bannsiders after a wonderful run in Europe #EuropaLeague #UEL pic.twitter.com/yY6tr0hOsC
Coleraine's Stephen O'Donnell tussles for possession with Callum Lang. Pic: NIFL.