An extra-time goal from substitute Evan De Haro broke Derry City hearts at the end of an absorbing Europa Conference League qualifier at the Brandywell.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Gibraltar, it looked as if the Candystripes were on their way to a memorable European night when goals from Mark Connolly and Pat Hoban took the tie to extra time despite a first half red card to Adam O’Reilly.
The opening goal came on 38 minutes when Ben Doherty’s corner found Mark Connolly, who headed in only his third goal for the club to give his team a huge lifeline.
Just as Derry City were building momentum for the first time, they suffered a huge blow when O’Reilly, already on a yellow card, went down in the penalty area and was dismissed for simulation. The half-time whistle soon followed to a chorus of boos from the home fans, with the atmosphere completely changed.
The home side continued to pile on the pressure despite their numerical disadvantage and they got the goal they needed on 57 minutes. It was yet another goal from a corner in this tie as Doherty’s delivery was met by Hoban, who forced the ball over the line at the second attempt for his 13th goal of the season to level the tie at 2-2.
It went all the way to extra time where neither team looked able to rouse themselves, until the Magpes silenced the Brandywell on 111 minutes. Juan Argez hit the underside of the bar from 30 yards, and the ball fell for substitute Evan De Haro, who volleyed in the rebound to put the Magpies into the lead.
Derry dug deep one last time and they almost grabbed a third goal to take it to penalties when Coleing came to collect a free kick but dropped the ball and Hoban acrobatically hooked the loose ball goalwards only for Taylor to head the ball off the line.
Derry City: Maher, Dummigan (Diallo 79’), Connolly (Todd 90’), Coll, Doherty (Whelan 105’); O’Reilly, Patching, McMullan; Kelly (S McEleney 90’), Hoban, Duffy (Mullan 79’).
Bruno’s Magpies: Coleing, Taylor, Zuniga (Coombes 57’), Diaz, Carrascal, Arguez, Garcia (Del Rio 112’), Storer (De Haro 45’), Forjan (Salles 60’), Ronco (Valle 99’), Bayode.
Referee: Antonie Chiaramonti (Andorra).