Brave St Mirren crashed out of the Conference League as SK Brann cruelly scored twice in the closing minutes.
Stephen Robinson’s men were markedly improved from last week but could not hang on to force extra time as the hosts advanced to face Astana in the play-off round.
The Norwegian side were ahead within five minutes as Felix Myhre carved open the St Mirren defence to tee up team-mate Joachim Soltvedt who brilliantly curled home.
The visitors, though, were not going down without a fight and made a game of it in a scrappy affair.
Their perseverance was rewarded in the 74th minute when Alex Iacovitti levelled the scores minutes after stepping off the bench. Fraser Taylor’s corner was hung up at the back-post where Iacovitti headed home to spark pandemonium.
For a moment it appeared as though the Paisley club could cause an upset but their energy and enthusiasm was sapped when Myhre slotted home five minutes from time.
Aune Heggebo ended the contest three minutes later as he capitalised on loose defending to put through Ellery Balcombe’s legs.
Polar opposite
Staged a few hundred kilometres from the Arctic Circle, this European tie was a complete polar opposite from last week in Paisley.
Within 15 minutes the visitors had shown more attacking intent than the first leg – but the longstanding issue of failing to be clinical continued to plague St Mirren’s European away days.
There was scope to punish a nervy Brann defence with captain Frederik Knudsen – known as the eighth mountain of Bergen – and veteran stopper Ruben Kristiansen hardly convincing.
Toyosi Olusanya has the better of the pair in running matches but St Mirren were lacking a finish touch.
Moment of magic
Despite their exit from the competition, St Mirren supporters had their moment of magic in European football.
Unable to score away in Reykjavik, the Paisley club have supporters an unforgettable celebration as Iacovitti headed home.
Olusanya made the chance by winning a corner when he had no right to even chase down an aimless ball. What followed was must-see.
The St Mirren subs and staff were essentially on the pitch as Iacovitti charged to celebrate with manager Robinson.
St Mirren might not have prolonged their stay in Europe but supporters will travel back to Scotland bursting with pride at the display of their team.
Known threat
One constant remained throughout 180 minutes of Conference League action; Felix Myhre being head and shoulders above the rest.
In Scotland, Myhre was the goal scorer. In Bergen, he was untouchable.
St Mirren were well aware of the threat of the playmaker after his display in Paisley but they simply couldn’t stop the midfielder from effortlessly spreading the play – and teeing up the opener before popping up with the winning goal.
The locals cannot believe he has not been poached, and no wonder. A few more standout nights in Europe and surely there’ll be clubs queuing up to sign him.
Clubs in Scotland could do far worse than take a look at Myhre – on the evidence of the two legs, he’d stroll it in the Scottish Premiership.
What if?
Within five minutes, the away supporters were shaking their heads, the locals were shaking the stadium.
It was a disastrous start for St Mirren as Soltvedt stroked home with the first incisive Brann attack.
The collective groan from the previously jubilant 750-strong away support was only drowned out by Brann backers bouncing in unison in a traditional celebration.
But despite initial fears of a trouncing defeat – the Buddies held on to keep the tie alive.
There will, however, be questions now of what if they could just have managed the opening and closing stages properly.
Sublime substitutions
Stephen Robinson has constantly emphasised the importance of squad depth in his St Mirren side this season to cope with the rigours of domestic and European football.
His charges deserve huge credit for their effort and application throughout but the Paisley manager deserves huge credit for his inspired substitutions.
In Paisley, subs Scott Tanser, James Scott and Olusanya combined to set up the leveller. In Bergen it was subs Fraser Taylor and Alex Iacovitti combining to devastating effect.
Robinson proved his tactical nous as his players delivered again for him in a heroic effort in Norway. Unfortunately, they were just unable to match the quality opposition they encountered as Brann roared through to the delight of 14,000 noisy supporters.
