THERE was massive disappointment in Sofia, where The New Saints deserved better than a 3-0 defeat to CSKA after a battling performance in the National Stadium.

"We were magnificent throughout the game, we contained them really well, but unfortunately we conceded three goals in the last 10 minutes of the game which is ever so disappointing having performed so well until that point," said chief operating officer Ian Williams.
"They put us under a lot of pressure in the last 20 minutes of the game and we were having to backtrack throughout that period.
"We let our concentration lapse and their clinical finishing gave them two goals within the space of a couple of minutes and a third one towards the end.
"But you can't take anything away from the lads, their performance was outstanding and we had contained them really well up until that point.
"When you're playing in a tie of this nature it's a great occasion, their supporters were getting frustrated, because we did ever so well and more than matched them throughout the game.
"I can't hide my disappointment at conceding those late goals but, who knows, if we can score an early goal next week we can still cause an upset," Williams added.
Photo: The scoreboard in Sofia tells the disappointing story.