Town's UEFA Cup run came to an end at the second round stage against Slovan Liberec after a 4-2 defeat on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw. Jermaine Wright and Finidi George missed their kicks after Matt Holland and Darren Bent had netted theirs.

Town lined-up without Jim Magilton, Mark Venus and most surprisingly Matt Holland. John McGreal took over as captain and played on the right of a three-man backline with Thomas Gaardsøe and Chris Makin. Hermann Hreidarsson was the left wing-back with Fabian Wilnis on the other side. In the midfield Darren Ambrose was joined by Jermaine Wright and Jamie Clapham. Up front Alun Armstrong started alongside a returning Pablo Couñago.

Town's approach was clear from the start as they allowed the home side to come at them, however Slovan were not creating too many chances, although Gyan hit a shot on the turn in the 11th minute wide of Andy Marshall's goal.

There was an early yellow card for John McGreal in the 14th minute for taking too long about a throw. It was the first of a number of irrational decisions from Slovenian referee Trivkovic.

On 16 Thomas Gaardsøe, playing much as at Sheffield United on Saturday, was caught by an elbow by Nezmar, however no freekick was given and no card shown.

Darren Ambrose hit a freekick wide on 23 as Town attacked more than in the earlier stages of the game.

Slovan's best chance of the first half saw Ghanaian Gyan head a 31st minute Papousek corner over the bar.

Thomas Gaardsøe found his way into the book in the 37th minute after complaining about a very late challenge by Zboncak on McGreal. A minute or so earlier the same player had done much the same to Darren Ambrose.

Just before the break there was a call for a home penalty from the crowd when the ball struck Jamie Clapham, however the referee was unimpressed. Soon after the whistle went on a solid if unspectacular half.

The second period started and it was clearly going to be much of the same. Joe Royle decided to swap Darren Bent for Pablo Couñago on 50, but not before Andy Marshall had tipped over a looping long distance effort from Johana.

Johana was involved again on 53 as his cross from the right reached Gyan who headed wide at the far post when he ought to have done better. While taking the goalkick Marshall also received a yellow card for timewasting which seemed very harsh. However, this was typical of a referee who was poor throughout, making some inexplicable decisions.

On the hour Matt Holland came on for Darren Ambrose. Seven minutes later Gyan broke down the right before a tackle saw the ball fall for Papousek who blazed well over.

Town were weathering a storm, but were showing very little in the way of attacking endeavour. In the 71st minute Thomas Gaardsøe took the ball forward and was felled by Polak, the Slovan player receiving a yellow card.

After John McGreal had made an important interception from a Johana cross, Darren Bent sent a ball into the box which was cut out by Kinsky on a rare Town foray into his area.

With ten minutes left Finidi George replaced Alun Armstrong before a Holenak freekick was easy for Andy Marshall.

Just as it seemed Town had done enough to claim the 0-0 draw required sub Blaha headed an 87th minute corner back across goal where a scramble ensued and Gyan hit home.

It was a bitter blow for Town who now had to rethink as they went into extra-time. The additional half hour was a different game

In the 92nd minute Darren Bent came closest to a Town goal. The youngster volleyed Matt Holland's pass goalwards but close to keeper Kinsky. The ball scraped under the keeper but he got back to claim it.

The best chance of the first half of extra time for Slovan was a Slovak freekick which curled goalward only for Andy Marshall to paw it away.

On 103 Finidi George entered the book after Hodur appeared to take a dive as the Nigerian challenged him in the Slovan box. Three minutes later Holenak was in the book for a foul on Hermann Hreidarsson who was by now playing in the attack.

He second half of extra-time saw few chances, the best two falling to Papousek, one which he hit wide and the other, just a minute later, which was little trouble for Marshall.

Inevitably penalties came with the referee's whistle and were taken at the end away from the Blues' supporters. Matt Holland bravely smashed his into Kinsky's top right corner and Slovak made it 1-1. Jermaine Wright stepped up for the second and hit a low shot which Kinsky dived to his left to stop. Holenak had less trouble in beating Marshall.

Town's third kick was the responsibility of Darren Bent who calmly smashed it into the roof of the net. Lukas made it 3-2. Finidi George is a man experienced in penalties but missed his last kick for Nigeria at the African Nations Cup earlier this year. Once again he was to fail, Kinsky claiming to his left.

It was left to Papousek to settle the tie and he did so with a kick lashed into the roof of the net to end Town's European run for the foreseeable future and emulate Locomotiv Leipzig and Barcelona in knocking Town out via spot-kicks.

While it has been great while it has lasted and we've all enjoyed some fabulous times, European football is now behind us and our full attention will turn to the very pressing need for points in the league and an unlikely attempt at promotion.

Photo: Action Images

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