Derry City 1-1 CSKA Sofia (Agg 1-2)

Derry City's European dream died at the Brandywell as Stephen Kenny's Candystripes failed to overcome what was a significant challenge against top Bulgarian side, CSKA Sofia.

The visitors, who had reached two Champions League semi-finals in years gone by, certainly showed their class and technical ability, but credit to the Brandywell side whose game plan had worked a treat up until the final 20 minutes.

Backed by a vociferous support of 3,000, Derry had to withstand the lightning pace of CSKA front men, Ivan Stoyanov and Brazilian, Marcos Malachias, who caused problems throughout the first half.

But using his traditional 4-5-1 European formation, Kenny's side stood up to the challenge and while they failed to seriously threaten the CSKA defence during that opening period, it was a case of steady as she goes with the scoresheet blank at the break.

In what was a tense opening opening period, with both sides attempting to settle quickly, CSKA lost the services of their first choice keeper, Zdravko Chavdarov, after 29 minutes following an accident collision with Derry midfielder, Kevin Deery.

With both players competing for a high ball, the keeper clearly came off worst and appeared to be concussed having sustained a gash to his face.

A swerving shot from long range by Pavel Vidanov after just four minutes signaled CSKA's intent but Derry keeper, Gerard Doherty, did well to make the save.

After 27 minutes a curling free-kick from Todor Timonov was also dealt with by the Derry keeper as CSKA continued to probe.

However, the Bulgarians lost the services of their keeper, Zdravko Chavdarov on the half-hour following an accidental collision with Derry's Kevin Deery as both players challenged for a high ball.

But it was the visitors who threated again in the 38th minute when Derry skipper, Peter Hutton, took a risk in a dangerous position and when Todor Timonov played Ivan Stoyanov into space the striker drove his shot recklessly wide of the target.

Doherty again stood firm with one minute of the half remaining when another Stoyanov strike was superbly blocked by the home keeper.

Following the change of ends, Derry went close to shooting themselves in the foot in the 56th minute following a defensive howler by central defender, Clive Delaney.

Failing to bring a high ball under control, the Dubliner's attempted header back to his keeper fell short and when Malachias raced in his powerful volley was blocked by the body of the advancing Doherty and Derry’s blushes were spared again.

In the 69th minute, the Bulgarians ended this tie as a contest when they added to their 1-0 first leg lead with a crucial away strike and it was the lively Malachias who did the damage.

Awarded a free-kick, 40 yards from goal, the Brazilian drove a low ferocious curling shot into the bottom corner of the net much to the delight of the travelling band of CSKA supporters.

Predictably that strike took the string out of the tie, Derry now having to score three goals to remain in contention.

To be fair, the Candystripes tried hard to dig the game out of the fire and in the 82nd minute they gave their supporters something to cheer about.

A Higgins free kick was floated to the back post and when Tam McManus headed the ball back across the face of goal the unmarked substitute, David Scullion, headed home frcm close range to level the score on the night.

But Derry's woes were compounded with just four minutes remaining when Gareth McGlynn brought CSKA substitute, Orlin Orlinov, down as he broke forward and the Belgian referee produced a red card, suggesting it was a professional foul offence.

In fact, CSKA almost scored a second goal in the 92nd minute but, not for the first time in the proceedings, the superb Gerard Doherty, pulled off yet another top drawer stop to deny Orlinov.

Derry City: Doherty; O’Brien, Delaney, Hutton, O’Brien; Stewart, Deery, Molloy (Scullion, 73), Higgins, Farren (McGlynn, 52); McManus (Nash, 89).

CSKA Sofia: Chavdarov (Karadjou, 29); Minev, Kotev, Ivanov, Vidanov; Todorov, Yanev, Petrov, Stoyanov; Timonov (Rui Migel, 65), Malachias (Orlinov, 82).

Referee: J Efong Nzolo (Belgium).