Elfsborg 2-2 St Patrick's Athletic

St Patrick's Athletic have every chance of progressing to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup after claiming a 2-2 draw in their second qualifying round, first leg clash with Swedish side Elfsborg.

The Dublin side fell behind after just 24 minutes when Damien Lynch was penalised for a questionable foul on Lasse Nilsson, which the Elfsborg player made the most of.

Midfielder Stefan Ishizaki, who has been capped for Sweden, made no mistake from the spot and slotted the ball home.

The Swedes doubled their lead just five minutes later when Johan Karlsson found the net from just two yards out after getting on the end of a Daniel Mobaeck cross and things looked ominous for the Saints.

However, the match took a drastic turn for the better in the second-half with a more attack minded St Pat's side putting real pressure on the hosts.

That pressure paid off in the 58th minute when Lithuanian referee Paulius Malzinskas levelled the penalty count and awarded the Saints a spot-kick with Mark Quigley duly converted.

Elfsborg were rocked by that goal and there was better to come for the visitors on 83 minutes when Ryan Guy scampered down the right wing before launching over a cross which Gary Dempsey headed home to send the travelling fans into raptures.

With two away goals, John McDonnell's side are now in a strong position ahead of the second leg in two weeks' time at Richmond Park.