Skonto Riga 1-1 Derry City

Derry City enjoyed another memorable game in Europe after scoring what could prove a crucial away goal against Skonto Riga and claim the advantage ahead of next Thursday's return leg against the Latvians.

And the undoubted hero on the night was Derry's diminutive Scot Tam McManus, who saved his best performance of the season for this Europa League second qualifying round clash, netting an equaliser one minute before the break which brought the 100 travelling fans to life.

In fact, Stephen Kenny's side could have actually won this match having controlled the second half with their quick and incisive passing movements which caused Skonto no shortage of problems.

But the same could not be said for the opening 20 minutes as Skonto burst out of the blocks and, indeed, were rewarded with the opening goal in the 17th minute.

And their lively striker Carvalaho Junior played an integral role in the move which led to the goal.

The Brazilian gained possession on the left and his curling cross saw the unmarked Igors Kozlovs burst into the box, the midfielder's diving header giving Gerard Doherty no chance from 12 yards.

And Riga maintained that pressure as Derry attempted to gain control of the situation. But they did weather the storm with Doherty diving low to his right to smother a dangerous shot from Junior.

Gradually working their way into this affair, the visitors began to string a number of superb passing movements together, regularly stretching the Skonto back four and it was the visitors who finished much the stronger.

With McManus receiving very little change from Vitalijs Snirnovs and Skonto captain David Gamezardashvili, both players standing well over 6' tall, the courageous little Scot grabbed his just rewards with just one minute remaining to half-time.

Higgins took control of the ball and when he finally fed Mark Farren, the Donegal man flighted the perfect cross which was headed to the net by the alert McManus and Derry were back in business.

No doubt, the visiting changing room will have been a happy place during the break and it was Derry who more or less controlled the second period and, indeed, could have nicked another goal had luck been on their side.

Predictably, Skonto attempted to boss the ball but Derry's slick passing movements continued to cause them problems.

That said, Olegs Laizans and Aleksandrs Fertovs both went close on the break as the Derry defence stood tall.

As the game moved into the final minutes, Ciaran Martyn could have grabbed the spoils but he failed to keep his shot down, the ball ballooning over the crossbar, while Gareth McGlynn also went close with an 84th-minute header following Farren's teasing cross.

Substitute Thomas Stewart also had a chance when his low shot from an acute angle was blocked out at the near post by Skonto keeper Germans Malins.

Afterwards, a delighted Stephen Kenny was impressed with the performance of his playing staff, particularly in the second half.

'I'd have to admit, I was worried during the opening 15 or 20 minutes as they regularly pushed forward, but once we got into our rhythm, we settled down and played well.

'The key was to score that crucial away goal and having bounced back so well, I was delighted for the players.

'But the games are now coming thick and fast and we must focus on our trip to Dalymount this Sunday night before turning our attentions to the home leg,' he concluded.

Meanwhile, the game had been threatened with postponement when a heavy afternoon thunderstorm actually flooded both the pitch and the dressing rooms.

However, after hard work by Skonto officials, the match was given the go-ahead about an hour before kick-off.

Locals claimed that four days of rain had poured down within the space of an hour and it was an amazing feat to clear the surface water away.

Now it's back to Brandywell for next Thursday's game and with a big home support behind them, Derry surely have every chance of winning their way through to the third round and, possibly, a draw with one of the bigger European clubs.

That draw, incidentally, will take place today in Switzerland.

Skonto Riga: Malins, Golubevs, Hscamoniqs, Gamezardashvili, Smirnovs, Kozlovs, Fertovs, Laizans (Agaeonov 77 mins) Carvalho, Semjonovs (Cauna 61 mins), Tarasovs.

Derry City: Doherty; O'Brien, Delaney, Hutton, Gray (McCallion 80 mins); McGlynn, Martyn, Molloy, Higgins, Farren (Stewart 85 mins); McManus (Morrow 80 mins).

Referee: A Tussen (Luxemburg).