UEFA Conference League play-off, first leg

FK Panevėžys 0 TNS 3

TNS have one foot in the UEFA Conference League thanks to a 3-0 victory on the road against FK Panevėžys.

The Saints made their superiority count to secure another historic victory in Lithuania with only a monumental collapse in next week's second leg now standing in the Oswestry club's way and a place in history.

It was a positive start from the visitors and the Saints had a great opportunity to break the deadlock on 13 minutes but Dan Williams’ volley from the edge of the penalty area was narrowly wide.

Panevėžys’ Kaspars Dubra headed wide in the 27th minute before the Lithuanian champions then had the best chance of the half as Amine Benchaib worked space on the edge of the penalty area before curling wide of Connor Roberts’ goal.

Action from TNS' win over FK Panevėžys. (Image: Brian Jones.)

Home goalkeeper Vytautas Černiauskas  was called into action for the first time by Rory Holden moments later as the half ended goalless.

Six minutes into the second-half, the Panevėžys goalkeeper made another vital save to deny Holden

It was from the resulting corner that the Saints scored a deserved opener, as Danny Davies drifted into space at the back post and bundled the ball into the back of the net.

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With 56 minutes on the clock, the match descended into controversy following a late challenge by Nicolas Gorobsov on Jack Bodenham who survived punishment despite a VAR check.

Action from TNS' win over FK Panevėžys. (Image: Brian Jones.) (Image: Brian Jones.)

The hosts had a golden chance to equalise courtesy of substitute Jeffery Sarpong on the hour only to head wide from six yards.

Craig Harrison’s side took an even stronger grip on the tie thanks to some individual skill from Dan Williams two minutes later as the former Swansea City man sent a composed finish across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net.

Panevėžys almost hit back in the 74th minute but Jovan Čađenović headed narrowly wide.

The night got even better for the Saints when an inviting ball across the box was turned home at the back post by substitute Ben Clark in injury time to complete the scoring.