Europa League: Rosenborg BK 1 - 2 Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers put Rosenborg BK to the sword at the Lerkendal Stadion on Thursday night as they ran out deserving 2-1 victors to give themselves a great platform for the return tie at the Showgrounds.

A truly historic win, the Bit o' Red pulled a hugely impressive performance out of the bag to secure two away goals against the odds.

Both teams started the tie brightly, and the opening 15 minutes were a real case of testing the water as Per Joar Hansen's charges and John Coleman's men became involved in an evenly-matched battle – and it was difficult at that point to pick out a potential winner.

But, it was Sligo who looked the brighter side as the match wore on, and their travelling contingent of around 50 supporters are sure to have a memorable night in Trondheim this evening – despite the lavishly expensive price of booze.

One big negative on a night of delirium for the League of Ireland side was the injury suffered by Danny Ledwith in the 25^th minute; another body in the physio's waiting room is the last thing Coleman will have wanted to see. After all, his resources are already being tested with a number of key players ruled out for a few weeks.

But, huge credit to the visitors to the way they knuckled down after that disappointment and began to cause problems for the hosts, particularly in the second half.

Because everyone knew the Norwegian club had massive talent in their ranks – in fact, they had eight national team players on the pitch at kick-off – and it was up to Sligo's defence to make sure they kept them quiet.

And, they did a good job for the most part. In the 44^th minute, however, Tobias Mikkelsen flashed a ferocious right-footed effort narrowly wide of Gary Rogers' right-hand post; a timely reminder of the potential they possessed. 

And former Blackburn Rovers man Morten Gamst Pedersen always looked capable of conjuring a bit of magic, particularly from set-pieces and through-balls from open play.

After the restart, Rosenborg began to play with a bit more urgency after a particularly flat opening period, and they started to target Sligo left-back Ross Gaynor as Pal Andre Hellund, who looks a very talented player, ran at him with increased regularity and trickery.

In the 48^th minute, the 24-year-old Rosenborg attacker fashioned a nice chance for himself after cutting in from the right, but his effort flashed agonisingly wide much to the dismay of his fans.

Then, in the 56^th minute, the Sligo faithful were sent into wonderland as Alan Keane struck to put his side up 1-0. Scoring at his second bite of the cherry, he controlled the bobbling ball expertly before firing past the helpless Alexander Hansen from the edge of the area after their defence failed to clear properly.

And things got doubly rosy just 15 minutes later as Danny North popped up at the back post to fire in their second goal of the game after a delightful cross from the right by David Cawley.

And despite the home side clawing a fortuitous goal back in the 81^st minute after a corner was deflected in off a Sligo defender, there was to be no dampening the Bit o' Red's joy as they secured a truly historic and, above all, impressive win.

All eyes now on the return leg.

Rosenborg: Alexander Hansen; Mikael Dorsin, Tore Reginiussen (c), Mike Jensen, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Riku Riski, Tobias Mikkelsen, Alexander Soderlund, Jorgen Skjelvik, Daniel Bernsten (Ole Selnaes 58), Pal Andre Hellund (Alexander Serloth 79).

Unused subs: Daniel Orlund (gk), Cristian Gamboa, Per Ronning, Stefan Strandberg.

Bookings: Reginiussen (94).

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane (c), Danny Ledwith (Paul O' Conor 86), Evan McMillan, Danny North (Keating 82), David Cawley, Ross Gaynor, Kalen Spillane, John Russell, Kieran Djillali (Sean Maguire 85), Seamus Conneelly.

Unused subs: Richard Brush, Gavin Peers, Eric Odhiambo, Regan Donelon.

Bookings: Spillane (30), Gaynor (45) & Maguire (88).

Referee: Michael Tykgaard (DEN)

Attendance: N/A

Man of the Match: Alan Keane