UEFA CUP QUALIFYING Ferguson: We should have won

It was the least that Linfield deserved after the Swedes took a 32nd-minute lead through striker Andreas Johansson.

The Blues hit the woodwork twice with Glenn Ferguson and Peter Thompson also missing four gilt-edged chances.

The Belfast side hope that their Euro odyssey continues with the return leg at Windsor Park on 25 August.

Twice Linfield could have gone ahead in the first 10 minutes. First Ferguson saw his shot from an Aidan O'Kane's cross rebound clear in the fifth minute.

In the 10th minute Alan Mannus made the first of four fantastic saves when Gunnar Thorvaldsson evaded the offside trap but the keeper saved well at the striker's feet.

Blues continued to cause the Halmstads defence some problems and in the 15h minute, Thomson was put through by Ferguson but he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Then came a goal against the run of play when Johansson received possession from a ricochet and slipped the ball past Mannus in the 32nd minute.

Thompson again had a great chance in front of goal in the 40th minute but he volleyed high over the bar.

Alan Mannus made a succession of great saves for Linfield

The Swedes almost doubled their score immediately on the restart as Linfield were slow to start when Emil Jenson broke clear but Mannus again made a great stop.

The Linfield goalkeeper again made a tremendous reaction save in the 54th minute when his dived high to his left to tip over a Thorvaldsson pile-driver.

Ferguson again must wonder how did not score in the 65th minute when he bundled the ball onto the post only to see it spin away for a goal-kick.

But the pressure finally told in the 72nd minute when Kearney fired that all-important goal after a neat build-up with Ferguson and Thompson.

But it was left to Mannus to make sure the Blues came away with a draw with yet another superb save in the 77th minute to deny Patrik Inglesten.

Halmstads BK: Conny Johansson, Per Johansson, Jonsson, Preko (Joel Johansson 63), Svensson, Thorvaldsson, Zvirgzdauskas, Andreas Johansson, Djuric (Sashcheka 86), Larsson, Jensen (Ingelsten 75). Subs not used: Anklev, Magnfors, Sahlman, Fagercrantz.

Goals: Andreas Johansson 31.

Linfield: Mannus, Ervin, McShane, Kearney, William Murphy, O'Kane (Kingsberry 71), Thompson, Mouncey, Ferguson (Larmour 90), Gault, Bailie. Subs not used: Douglas, Mulgrew, Picking, McAreavey, McKnight.

Booked: McShane, Ervin.

Goals: Kearney 72.

Att: 1,197.