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St Johnstone 1-1 Rosenborg (agg 2-1)

By Jim SpenceBBC Sport at McDiarmid Park

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments153

Stevie May scores

Stevie May's deft finish earned St Johnstone an aggregate victory over Rosenborg at McDiarmid Park in the Europa League second qualifying round.

Alexander Soderlund's early goal for the visitors cancelled out Frazer Wright's first-leg away goal.

Saints responded well and May prodded over Rosenborg goalkeeper Daniel Orlund from David Wotherspoon's pass.

And they held on to secure the win over two legs, which sets up a third qualifying round tie with FC Minsk.

The Belarussian side secured their progress with an aggregate win over Valletta.

Victory for St Johnstone means they go one stage further in the competition than last season's campaign under Steve Lomas.

Tommy Wright's second competitive match in charge of the Perth side had been pre-empted by his assertion that the match would be "one of the biggest games in the club's history".

The large McDiarmid Park crowd of 7,850 certainly reflected that, but the buzzing atmosphere was pierced early on when striker Soderlund stroked past Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

May spent the bulk of last season on loan at Hamilton, where he scored 26 goals, and his restoration to St Johnstone's starting XI in place of the injured Chris Millar paid off.

The 20-year-old did well to stay onside and outdo the dithering Rosenborg defender Mikael Dorsin to convert Wotherspoon's lofted ball.

Wotherspoon, May and Nigel Hasselbaink continually threatened the defence of the Norwegian league leaders, who had Tobias Mikkelsen and Soderlund to do likewise to Saints' rearguard.

The second half, especially, was a stern test for St Johnstone's back four, whose bravery was underlined by Steven Anderson putting his body on the line on more than one occasion.

Soderlund and Jonas Svensson often looked dangerous but most of the chances created ended up going the wrong side of the post.

Orlund, meanwhile, had plenty to deal with as crosses from Tam Scobbie and Wotherspoon came his way.

At the death, defender Jon Inge Hoiland had a glorious opportunity to get the vital second away goal for the visitors, but Mannus saved the weak shot.

St Johnstone head to Belarus to face Minsk in the first-leg on Thursday 1 August.

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153 comments

  • Comment posted by IvanGolacIsMagic - Save 606, at 22:42 25 Jul 2013

    Why is this not the lead Scottish story on the site as opposed to the Hibs embarrassment? Once again the focus is on the negative rather than this fantastic, positive result. Get your priorities right BBC and start promoting the positive side of our game for a change.

    Well done to the Sainties. Tremendous stuff and what seems a winnable tie in the next round.

  • Comment posted by Govie, at 22:50 25 Jul 2013

    Great achievement to win over two legs against a team of Rosenborgs standard, especially after losing their manager over the summer. Well done Saints.

  • Comment posted by User0123120475, at 22:38 25 Jul 2013

    Well done saints!

    Done scotland proud tonight!

    Hopefully another full house to roar the team into the playoff off game and get a crack at a big European team!

  • Comment posted by Rantomon, at 22:40 25 Jul 2013

    Outstanding achievement, a big scalp... Congratulations, Very impressive

  • Comment posted by User0535902450, at 22:54 25 Jul 2013

    As far as I'm concerned, this is a substantially more significant result than the Hibs match tonight. Why has this been relegated to small headline status on the football homepage?

    Like most people, I enjoy reading a bit of unexpected good news now and again.

  • Comment posted by User0225609549, at 01:31 26 Jul 2013

    Well done Saints, brilliant victory.

    As for the BBC, utter disgrace this game was not covered on TV. We've had confed. cup and woman's euro this summer but when it comes to a home grown team in Europe, BBC Scotland will not cover it unless it's Celtic. £250m raised in licence fees in Scotland - £100m given back to us to spend.

    National broadcaster ? You should be ashamed.

  • Comment posted by Sandramac, at 11:05 26 Jul 2013

    We're two Morton supporters who travelled to Perth to support another Scottish team last night. Having watched Stevie May in the 1st Division last year, it was great to see him step up to the European stage so effortlessly. Great game and fabulous atmosphere. A privilege to be there. Well done Saints!

  • Comment posted by User0444895862, at 23:00 25 Jul 2013

    From an Irish Celtic supporter I congratulate one and all associated with ST Johnstone F.C. you truly deserve all credit.

  • Comment posted by Super Saintee, at 22:50 25 Jul 2013

    Fantastic night at McD tonight and unbelievable effort from the team. Do we dare to dream of the group stages? Let's hope for something positive from Minsk first!

  • Comment posted by keykaw, at 22:54 25 Jul 2013

    Well done Saints! Done Scotland proud.

  • Comment posted by sandyt, at 22:44 25 Jul 2013

    Fantastic result over 2 legs for the saints - Scottish football is proud of you tonight!

  • Comment posted by User0362458550, at 12:14 26 Jul 2013

    Folk are slagging off the crowd, but Perth has only 50,000 people. 7,850 is more than 15% of the city turning out for one game!

  • Comment posted by Slenderman, at 11:25 26 Jul 2013

    It's nice to see fans from other clubs getting behind the Saints.

    Pleasing.

  • Comment posted by User0684700261, at 07:11 26 Jul 2013

    Very well done. Normally this would not have happened but RBK played way below standards in these two matches. St. Johnstone deserved this victory and RBK only have them selves to thank for this embarrassing defeat. I wish St. Johnstone the best of luck in the next stage.

    Greetings from Norway.

  • Comment posted by Simon H, at 02:38 26 Jul 2013

    Sad to see the BBC ignoring this result.
    BBC will be extinct in 10 years if they carry on with head turning negative news or propaganda...
    I am sick of it.

    Simon, Newark, Notts

  • Comment posted by User0196334404, at 09:04 26 Jul 2013

    Well done, St. Johnstone. Rosenborg are a decent side and when you compare this result with the Hibs one against Malmo, it is a magnificent achievement!

  • Comment posted by Slenderman, at 22:40 25 Jul 2013

    Great news. Best of luck wee Miget.

    Love from Greenock Morton.

  • Comment posted by User0897609245, at 22:39 25 Jul 2013

    Congrats Saints! Huge result!

  • Comment posted by The Oracle, at 22:53 25 Jul 2013

    Brilliant result for the super j's - a rare chink of light despite the gloom around our game....really hope they make the group stages

  • Comment posted by Murmur71, at 08:57 26 Jul 2013

    Well done St Johnstone. I am a Dundee United and the result was a great boast ahead of the new season for Scottish Football. Sincere good luck for the next round. It will be a tough one, but you can do it. Make the group stages and anything else is a bonus.

    A real shame what happened to Hibs.

    Well done, all of Scotland are behind you for the next round !

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