Linfield boss David Healy was in upbeat mood about his side's chances of progressing in this year's Champions League despite a 1-0 defeat to The New Saints, vowing: "We lost the battle tonight but we'll be ready for next week."
Ryan Brobbel scored the only goal just before the hour mark of last night's first qualifying round first leg fixture in Oswestry but the Blues squandered several good chances against the Welsh champions. The teams meet again at Windsor Park next Wednesday and Northern Ireland legend Healy will be hoping his attackers can find the same clinical edge he displayed for his country so many times at the famous South Belfast venue.
TNS keeper Connor Roberts made three smart stops in the second-half, most notably when Healy's star summer signing Robbie McDaid should have scored having been sent clean through by Joel Cooper.
