Linfield bowed out of European competition tonight, despite a battling draw with Gorica in Slovenia.
The real damage was done last week at Windsor Park, when David Jeffrey's men slumped to a 3-1 defeat in their Champions League first qualifying first-round match - and missed a penalty.
Spot-kick culprit Peter Thompson made amends in tonight's second leg with a 28th-minute goal which reduced the aggregate deficit to a single goal.
But striker Miran Burgic levelled within two minutes for the Slovenian side, snuffing out the Irish League champions' hopes of earning a glamourous second-round tie against Steaua Bucharest.
And the same player netted seven minutes from time to increase the hosts' aggregate lead to 5-2.
Former Portadown and Swindon midfielder Paul McAreavey staved off defeat with an equaliser in the 90th minute to salvage some pride on the night.
But the 5-3 aggregate reverse leaves the Blues to concentrate on the defence of the Irish League title they won so impressively last season - the campaign starts on September 23.
