[FONT=verdana][SIZE=11px]St Johnstone won[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[SIZE=13px][FONT=verdana]Frazer Wright’s close-range finish earned St Johnstone a first-leg win over Rosenborg in the Europa League second qualifying round.
David Wotherspoon’s 19th-minute corner fell to Wright who bundled home from three yards at the Lerkendal Stadion.
The Norwegians almost levelled when Nikki Bille Nielsen’s shot brought a great save from Saints’ Alan Mannus.
Wotherspoon went close in the second half and the visitors worked hard to prevent an equaliser.
Rosenborg, with home advantage and midway through their domestic season, had threatened early through Nielsen when he hit a low shot narrowly wide of the post.
But Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone looked more than capable either side of Wright’s crucial goal, with debutant Wotherspoon and striker Steven McLean keeping home goalkeeper Daniel Orlund active.
In the second half, the Perth side almost doubled their lead when Wotherspoon’s chipped effort took a deflection forcing Orlund to dive and palm away.
Daniel Berntsen threatened twice for the hosts as they continued to search for a leveller.
Mannus was called into action again to deny two further Rosenborg efforts and ensure St Johnstone claimed an excellent away victory.
The two sides meet again at McDiarmid Park for the second leg next Thursday.[/FONT][/SIZE]
Worst copy & paste effort ever!
when’s the new job starting mate?
Exactly
Alan Mannus is an allright sort
Rocko will be delighted as well as it helps the scottish european coefficient
delighted to see Billy Fenlon and his disgusting Hibernian go beaten last night