Chris Jones scored a vital away goal as Bangor City held Honka Espoo in their Europa League tie on Thursday night.
The Finnish side had gone ahead two minutes before half time as Gambian international, Demba Savage, headed Sampo Koskinen’s cross past Paul Smith.
And the Citizens were fortunate not to be further behind as Markus Paatelainen had already missed a penalty for Honka earlier in the half.
But Jones, who signed for City from relegated Porthmadog, scored what could prove to be an all important goal for Neville Powell’s side after 58 minutes.
City managed to absorb a lot of early pressue from Honka, who currently lie second in the Veikkausliiga ar hyn o bryd, until Michael Johnson’s rash challenge on Jami Puustinen after 35 minutes.
But Smith spared his defender’s blushes with an excellent save.
And despite Savage putting the home side ahead, City refused to lie down and they got their just desserts before the hour.
Jones collected Les Davies’ through ball before beating the defender and slotting the ball past Tuomas Peltonen to the delight of the City fans who had made the trip to Finland.
The only other time Bangor City have managed to avoid defeat in Europe was against Fredrikstad in the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup when the Citizens managed to reach the second round and a tie with Atletico Madrid.
Both teams will meet in the second leg at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground on Thursday 22 July.
Honka Espoo: Tuomas Peltonen, Sampo Koskinen, Henri Aalto (Nicholas Otaru 79′), Hermanni Vuorinen (Konsta Rasimus 71′), Markus Paatelainen (Jussi Vasara 64′), Jami Puustinen, Ville Koskimaa, Demba Savage, Tapio Heikkila, Jaakko Lepola, Rasmus Schuller.
Unused subs: Janne Henriksson, Roope Heilala, John Weckstrom, Tim Vayrynen.
Goal: Demba Savage 43′
Yellow cards: Henri Aalto 31′, Rasmus Schuller 81′
Bangor City: Paul Smith, Peter Hoy, Chris Roberts, Dave Morley, Jamie Brewerton (Sion Edwards 52′), Michael Johnston, Eddie Jebb (Alan Bull 61′), Craig Garside, Les Davies (Clive Williams 79′), Nicky Ward, Chris Jones.
Unused subs: Andy Mulliner, Matty Hurdman, Marc Limbert.
Goal: Chris Jones 58′
Yellow cards: Michael Johnston 35′, Paul Smith 57′, Chris Jones 64′, Dave Morley 90′
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Macedonia).
