THE New Saints' fairytale European adventure finally came to an end after a stirring Europa League play-off performance against CSKA Sofia at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

And, but for the unfortunate dismissal of Matty Williams midway through the second-half, TNS could well have held on to a 2-1 lead to record only their third success in a European tie.
Williams was sent-off after picking-up a second caution for a challenge on Sofia keeper Ivan Karadzhov and, with 10 minutes left, Saints had victory snatched from their grasp when Christian Tiboni hit a stunning shot from 25-yards that gave Paul Harrison no chance.
Any hopes of an aggregate win had been dashed as early as the 11th-minute when an error by Steve Evans allowed Guiseppe Aquaro to stroke a shot into the net from a Tifonov corner.
But the Saints responded within three minutes when Chris Seargeant lofted a cross to the far post, which was headed back across goal by Craig Jones for Matty Williams to net from close range.
Both sides had plenty of chances in an entertaining first-half, with a stray pass from Barry Hogan presenting an opportunity to first-leg scorer Dimitar Iliev who warmed keeper Paul Harrison's hands with a stinging drive.
Harrison then produced two superb saves in quick succession to deny the impressive Tiboni, both from shots inside the box.
TNS almost took the lead on 35 minutes when Williams broke upfield and Hogan saw his curling shot inside the far post well saved by keeper Karadzhov.
Jones and Hogan then combined well down the right and Tommy Holmes saw his effort beaten away by the keeper, but was then booked for handball.
CSKA responded when Gregory Nelson beat Baker and crossed for Iliev to send his shot wide of the far post, when it seemed easier to score.
After the break, former Celtic frontman Cillian Sheridan sent a shot across goal inches wide of the far post, but TNS then took the lead when a Chris Seargeant corner was headed-on to Evans who atoned for his earlier error by netting with a close range header just past the hour mark.
Seargeant and Scott Ruscoe both went close to a winner after in the closing stages, but Tiboni almost had the last word only to be denied by another excellent Harrison save.
Photo: Matty Williams scores the Saints' first goal.