Giuseppe Aquaro is congratulated after scoring CSKA Sofia's opener

The New Saints conceded three goals in the final nine minutes away to CSKA Sofia in their Europa League play-off first leg in Bulgaria on Thursday.

The Welsh champions had defended stoutly for 81 minutes in Sofia and seemed set to take a draw back to Wales for next week's second leg.

But CSKA struck twice in two minutes, Giuseppe Aquaro heading in a free-kick before Gregory Nelson doubled the lead.

Then in the last minute Spas Delev shot home from the edge of the area.

Delev had been at the centre of an eligibility row during the week but had been cleared to play at the Vasil Levski National Stadium and was a constant threat throughout.

The CSKA striker had bracketed the TNS goal with off-target shots early in the first half and then had the ball in the net on 37 minutes but was called back for a clear offside.

TNS' attacks were limited, although the likes of Craig Jones were always on the lookout for the chance to counter.

CSKA turned up the pressure in the second half and the Oswestry-based side had to dig even deeper to keep their Bulgarian hosts at bay, Paul Harrison pulling off a stunning save at full stretch to deny Marquinhos a 55th-minute opener.

But finally resistance was broken as Boris Galchev arced in a free-kick and Aquaro rose highest to send his header beyond Harrison.

The Saints goalkeeper had to again stoop to collect the ball from the back of his net within a minute as substitute Nelson, on for Dormushali Saidhodzha, shot home.

Even then a two-goal deficit was not necessarily a disastrous score to take back to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground for next Thursday's second leg.

But a third CSKA goal, Delev ghosting across the edge of the area before hitting a superb shot in the 90th minute, probably leaves TNS too much ground to make up.

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