Derry City's Europa Conference League campaign is far from over after this narrow first leg loss against Tobol Kostanay.
Roman Asrankulov's unbelievable second-half strike was the only goal of the encounter, but Derry will feel they missed a glorious chance to earn at least a draw.
The surface at the Kostanay Central Stadium didn't look the best and both sides seemed to struggle to get the ball under control and next week's Tallaght Stadium pitch certainly will benefit the Candystripes.
Manager Ruaidhrí Higgins will be slightly annoyed that his side were unable to earn a first leg draw, as Michael Duffy missed a glorious opportunity in the final stages.
Tobol had a great chance to break the deadlock after just two minutes as in-form striker Serges Deble saw his close-range shot well parried away by Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher.
Moments later City winger Michael Duffy had a half chance, but his strike from just inside the box flashed well over Ivan Konovalov's crossbar.
City started to slowly get more into the encounter and they tested the keeper on 17 minutes as Will Patching's 20 yard free-kick was coolly punched away by Konovalov.
On 39 minutes Tobol went close after a goalmouth scramble with Deble finding space inside the box, but his close-range shot was off target, much to Maher's credit, as he raced off his line to deny the Ivory Coast frontman.
Tobol created the best chance of the first leg encounter on 57 minutes but after getting away from Ben Doherty, who had slipped on the edge of the box, Islam Chesnokov raced into the City penalty box, but the alert Maher raced off his line to save at the winger's feet.
The home side took the lead on 65 minutes in superb fashion as left-back Roman Asrankulov unleashed a stunning left-footed strike from the right hand angle of the City box, clipping the crossbar on its way past Maher.
City had strong claims for a penalty moments later after Patching seemed to be brought down inside the box, but referee Stefan Ebner awarded a free-kick to the home side and cautioned Stockport man.
Derry missed a glorious chance to level things on 79 minutes as Patching latched onto Konovalov's terrible clearance, before feeding Duffy, who skipped away from his marker but his close-range strike hit the side-netting.
Tobol Kostanay: Ivan Konovalov, Bagdat Kairov (Albert Gabaraev 68), Ivan Rogac, Bojan Mladjovic, Roman Asrankulov; Samat Zharynbetov (Jovan Ilic 68), Serikzan Muzhikov (Pavel Zabelin 89); Ramazan Orazov (Yevgeniy Shakhov 68); Islam Chesnokov, Serges Deble, Miljan Vukadinovic (Igor Ivanovic 79)
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo, Adam O'Reilly (Patrick McEleney 69), Will Patching (Jordan McEneff 82); Paul McMullan (Brandon Kavanagh 86), Cian Kavanagh (Jamie McGonigle 69), Michael Duffy
Referee: Stefan Ebner (Austria)
Speaking afterwards, Derry boss was pleased with the effort put in by his side, in what he termed an "even contest".
"I felt there wasn't much in the game. They put us under pressure as the home team early in the game and we weathered the storm a bit. As the game settled, we settled and I thought it was a very even contest. It was an absolute wonder goal to put them in front. Coming home it gives us a fighting chance of going through to the play-off round and that's what we wanted coming out here - for the tie to be still alive.
"I thought in the second half we controlled the game, we looked better, and had one or two chances. We had a chance to equalise but I'm really proud of the effort from the players, what they put into the game. I'm extremely proud and it sets it up nicely for next week."
And on the trip to Tallaght Stadium next Thursday, he added: "We have to try and ram home home advantage. Hopefully we can take a huge travelling contingent down to Dublin and get as much red and white in Tallaght as possible.
"That's what we would love and it will give the players a huge lift. Let's see can we do something spectacular and get ourselves through."
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