Europa League as it happened

1. Europa League first qualifying round, second legs
2. Dons through, Saints out - both on away goals
3. FT: Aberdeen 0-0 Shkendija (1-1)
4. FT: St Johnstone 2-1 Alashkert (2-2)
5. O'Halloran shoots Saints ahead on 34 mins
6. Narek Gyozalyan levels for 10-man Alashkert
7. McKay gives Saints hope with late goal

Thanks for your company tonight and join us again next week for some more coverage of Scottish clubs' adventures in European competition.

So there is one less green Scottish bottle sitting on the European wall as we move on to the second round of qualifying.

Aberdeen next face Rijeka and the Croats will probably be favourites for that one, while Scottish Cup winners Inverness Caledonian Thistle will be up against it as they make their European debut against Astra of Romania.

That's next Thursday, but the night before Celtic enter the Champions League fray when they Stjarnan and the Scottish champions will be favourites to progress against the Icelandic side.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

'Kal-El': "I'm embarrassed to be Scottish."

DandyInTheGhetto: "Co-efficient takes yet another blow and shows up the state of our game in the so-called top league."

Andy Henderson: "St Johnstone just weren't good enough on the night. There were other factors, but that's what it boils down to. Ah well."

Sechaba: "Scottish teams aren't reliable, except Celtic.

Darren on Facebook: "Feeling pretty low after that."

Richard on Facebook: "No excuse for St Johnstone not being prepared."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes on BBC Radio Scotland

"I thought their movement in the last 15 minutes was good and we had a few scary moments.

"While it is still 0-0, you are always that bit nervous.

"I think we need to adapt - it is a different type of football. They sat deep and did not look to win the game early on.

"We have got to learn as we go along and improve, but it is hard to ask any of my players to be as good as they want to be this early in the season."

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright on BBC Radio Scotland

"Disappointed in the manner of it. At 1-0 down, we were comfortable against 10 men and the goal is a shocking goal to give away.

"We got a response and got the win, but we didn't get the win.

"We've lost Frazer Wright and lost Steven Anderson. He's had to go to hospital. I have seen it again and it was assault. It looks like a fractured cheekbone.

"We have been in Europe for four years and enjoyed it, but this year we have had only three weeks off.

"We have lost so many players to injury and we just can't cope. If we had got through, we would have struggled numbers wise."

Bala Town (Wales) 2-1 Differdange 03 (Luxembourg) Agg 3-4

Lokomotiva Zagreb (Croatia) 2-2 Airbus UK Broughton (Wales) Agg 5-3

Lusitanos (Andorra) 0-1 West Ham United (England) Agg 0-4

Shakhtyor Soligorsk (Belarus) 3-0 Glentoran (Northern Ireland) Agg 5-1

Valletta (Malta) 1-2 Newtown (Wales) Agg 2-4

Zilina (Slovakia) 3-0 Glentoran (Northern Ireland) Agg 7-1

SNS

Aberdeen defender Ash Taylor and manager Derek McInnes were able to celebrate at the final whistle

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"I don't think Aberdeen were particularly good. Shkendija were okay and were tidy without threatening very often an Aberdeen who were not at their best. Derek McInnes will be relieved more than anything else."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston

"St Johnstone just didn't do enough over the two legs. But I tell you what - Alashkert will not go any further as they are not a good side."

FULL-TIME

It wasn't pretty, but it is Aberdeen who progress to take on Rijeka of Croatia in the second round of Europa League qualifying.

FULL-TIME

It is Alashkert who progress and will travel to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty, who beat Red Star Belgrade earlier.

GREAT SAVE!

Besart Ibraimi goes close to a killer opener with a low drive from just outside the penalty box, but Dons goalkeeper Danny Ward reaches down to turn the ball wide.

Three Shkendija players have wild swipes inside the Dons penalty box. The Macedonians are applying the pressure.

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Dylan: "St Johnstone - another embarrassment, but then again I'm not surprised. which is quite sad to say."

Hristijan Kirovski finds himself behind the Aberdeen defence, but the striker's low show skims across the face of the home goal. More warning signs for the Dons. The seagulls are getting nervous out there.

GOAL

With four minutes left, Saints have a lifeline as sub Brad McKay prods the ball home inside a crowded penalty box. Another goal and the Perth side are through.

Shkendija go so close to breaking the deadlock as Blagoja Todorovski breaks into the box. He has two goes at it, but he has both shots blocked in front of goal.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Aberdeen substitute Peter Pawlett is so close to opening the scoring and calming Aberdeen nerves with a dipping shot from 22 yards that Marko Jovanovski just manages to turn on to the underside of the crossbar.

St Johnstone now need to score twice in order to go through. One more and they still go out on away goals to an Armenian side making their debut in European competition.

GOAL

The warning signs were there for St Johnstone after the loss of two defenders through injury and Narek Gyozalyan beats Tam Scobbie to a long ball down the soft centre and lobs goalkeeper Alan Mannus.

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Eilidh Barbour at McDiarmid Park for BBC Scotland: "Alashkert down to 10, but St J just can't get a grip on this game. This could go the distance.... #pens."

Charlie Saiz: "It might be worth remembering the Dons are only weeks into pre season." So are Shkendija though.

St Johnstone might have a man advantage, but they have lost both their first choice central defenders as Steven Anderson is forced off through injury, with Liam Caddis his replacement.

It is a nervous time for Aberdeen as Armend Alimi's shot is spilled by goalkeeper Danny Ward, but the Dons manage to clear the danger.

RED CARD

Alashkert are down to 10 men as defender Karen Muradyan is shown a second yellow card after one strong challenge too many. It had been coming for the Aremenian. Meanwhile, Frazer Wright is forced off for Saints through injury, with Brad McKay his replacement in defence.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston

"Alashkert are beginning to look more of a threat so St Johnstone need to be wary."

Direct play gives Aberdeen a chance, as goalkeeper Danny Ward's long ball is flicked on by Kenny McLean and Jonny Hayes low drive is pushed wide for a corner by goalkeeper Marko Jovanovski at the near post,

Shkendija have started the second half the better side, although it is the Dons who have looked the more dangerous with some quick breaks.

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Fosh: "Highlight so far at Pittodrie - seagull fight at half-time."

A great chance for St Johnstone straight after the break, but unmarked defender Steven Anderson heads wide at the back post.

KICK-OFF

We're off again in Perth.

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Official PerthSaints: "Tonight's attendance is 5764. Thank you for your support. Who's for summer football?"

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Crimmy: "Mon the Saintees and the Dandies."

Dougie Kinnear: "I love European nights. If some folk only turn up to one game a season & moan all game, it may as well be a glamour tie!"

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"After half an hour, it was an even game, but after that Aberdeen took control and Shkendija were sitting too deep. They are no mugs they are playing against, but so often when they are technically good, they run out of ideas in front of goal."

BBC Radio Scotland's Charlie Mann

"Tommy Wright wanted a big crowd, they have turned out in their numbers and they are getting their just rewards. After a nervous start, it's been all St Johnstone. A couple of half chances by the visitors, but St Johnstone are well on top."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston

"It's been great for Saints. They have got to keep their discipline, as they have had two booked already, and there's only going to be one winner."

HALF-TIME

It's all square at Pittodrie. The Dons will go through on away goals if it stays this way, but the tie is still wide open.

HALF-TIME

SNS Group

St Johnstone are level on aggregate thanks to that goal from Michael O'Halloran.

Aberdeen are ramping it up and Kenny McLean sends a drive just wide.

Some sustained pressure from Aberdeen and Niall McGinn's effort is fumbled by the goalkeeper, Adam Rooney goes down under pressure and Graeme Shinnie's effort on the rebound is saved.

YELLOW CARD

Frazer Wright is booked, following St Johnstone team-mate Tam Scobbie and Alashkert's Karen Muradyan, Hovhannes Grigoryan and Vahagn Minasyan.

GOAL

SNS Group

St Johnstone's pressure tells as Frazer Wright's header is blocked by goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov and it is finished off decisively by Michael O'Halloran.

St Johnstone's Scott Brown has had a shot on target and Chris Kane had a couple of half chances, but no breakthrough yet for the Perth side. But they are getting closer.

YELLOW CARD

Aberdeen's Andrew Considine is the first to go into the book for a foul on Besart Ibraimi. Perhaps a tactical bruising on the Shkendija dangerman.

SNS

Aberdeen's Graeme Shinnie (right) is making his home debut after his summer move from Inverness Caley Thistle

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John Kerr: "It will be up to Celtic yet again to gain decent European results and have a long run in Europe, as the rest will all be knocked out early."

Evan Macdonald: "Saints were poor by all accounts last week. But being in Perth they should put 3 or 4 past them."

David Rabbett: "St Johnstone had key players out in first leg but still expected to win, the tie is nowhere near over."

Robert Dalgarno: "On Aberdeen - 1-1 better than a no-score draw and at least we have the comfort of the away goal."

James Dewar: "I'm sure the Dons will win this home game."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston

"Nothing much is happening, but they are really kicking into each other and I will be surprised if both teams finished with 11 men."

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Stephen Waddell: "Kick-off at Pittodrie for the UEL... Couldn't find a telly feed so it's @BBCSportScot providing commentary. Nearly 4am here in Seoul." Good morning you poor Seoul.

Aberdeen respond and force a corner from which defender Ash Taylor heads straight at goalkeeper Marko Jovanovski.

A chance for Shkenija, but midfielder Armend Alimi miscues his shot and it goes well wide. Nevertheless, a warning for Aberdeen.

St Johnstone will face a trip to Kazakhstan if they progress as Kairat Almaty beat their other potential opponents, Red Star Belgrade, 4-1 on aggregate earlier having won 2-0 last week in Serbia. Rijeka of Croatia await the winners of the tie at Pittodrie in the next round.

KICK-OFF

We're off at both grounds.

There were predictions of a crowd of 15,000 at Pittodrie and up to 9,000 in Perth. The noise is certainly being ramped up at Pittodrie while McDiarmid Park is in respectful silence.

Shkendija coach Shpetim Duro says Aberdeen remain favourites not only because of their away goal but because of the level of football in Scotland and the history of the Pittodrie club. Indeed, he said that it would be a "historic" achievement for his side should they progress. Indeed it will be as they have failed to progress past their first tie in their four outings in European football - in Champions League qualifying then three straight outings in the Europa League's early rounds.

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Colin Hunter: Going for two Scottish wins tonight.

SNS Group

There will be a minute's silence prior to kick off at McDiarmid Park in memory of Bankfoot couple Billy and Lisa Graham, who were killed in the terror shootings in Tunisia. Billy worked on the turnstiles for the Perth club.

St Johnstone are not only without Murray Davidson, the energetic midfielder again proving injury prone as he suffered a head knock then a serious knee injury in Armenia. They continue to be minus defender Dave Mackay, summer signing Graham Cummins and midfielder Chris Millar, while midfielders Simon Lappin and David Wotherspoon are added to the injury list. It means starts for experienced defenders Steven Anderson and Frazer Wright, forward Chris Kane and midfielder Scott Brown come into the starting line-up.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright on BBC Radio Scotland

"I think we need to play a good tempo and put them under pressure.

"We need to pass the ball better than we did there and I think we've got the players to do that.

"While we weren't happy to lose 1-0, we were quite happy with 1-0.

"At home I think we'll better and the temperature is not 38-40 degrees."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"If Aberdeen allow them to get a goal and a foothold in the game, it could be a difficult night for them. But, if they play to their qualities, I expect them to go through."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes on BBC Radio Scotland

"If we can reach the levels we can play at, I think we will cause more problems for their keeper and back four.

"We are fortunate enough that we have good options and we bring big Andrew Considine in and that is regarded as his more natural position.

"It was a difficult decision as Paul Quinn was desperate to play.

"We got good experience from Europe last season. It is something different, the fans embrace and hopefully it is another good night tonight."

Join the debate at #bbcscotfootball

Elsewhere in Scottish football today, Nadir Ciftci has completed a £1.5m switch from Dundee United to Celtic and Kilmarnock have signed defender Stuart Findlay on loan from Celtic and forward Dale Carrick, who has been released by Hearts. Good moves? Meanwhile, Russell Latapy has left as Inverness Caledonian Thistle assistant manager. A blow for manager John Hughes?

Give us your thoughts on Twitter @bbcscotfootball or the BBC Sport Scotland Facebook page.

LINE-UPS

St Johnstone: Mannus, Shaughnessy, Anderson, Wright, Scobbie, Brown, Brian Easton, O'Halloran, Sutton, MacLean, Kane. Subs: Clark, McKay, Caddis, Cummins, Thomson, Gilchrist, McLaren.

Alashkert: Kasparov, Fofana, Arakelyan, Usenya, Muradyan, Bareghamyan, Artak Grigoryan, Veranyan, Poghosyan, Minasyan, Narek Gyozalyan. Subs: Khachatryan, Dos Santos, Voskanyan, Manasyan, Ghazaryan, Gevorg Karapetyan, Balabekyan.

Referee: Fredy Fautrel (France)

LINE-UPS

SNS Group

Aberdeen: Ward, Shinnie, Considine, Taylor, Logan, Hayes, Jack, Flood, McLean, McGinn, Rooney. Subs: Brown, Smith, Robson, Pawlett, Goodwillie, Quinn, Shankland.

Shkendija Tetovo: Jovanovski, Todorovski, Polozani, Cuculi, Abdula, Juffo, Alimi, Demiri, Junior, Hasani, Ibraimi. Subs: Azizi, Bejtulai, Imeri, Kirovski, Vrucina, Huseini, Totre.

Referee: Nikoloj Hanni (Switzerland)

Shkendija's summer signing, Besart Ibraimi, is handed a start having inspired the Macedonians in Skopje after coming on as a substitute last week and he replaces Bojan Vrucina up front.

As expected, Mark Reynolds misses out for Aberdeen with a shoulder injury picked up in Macedonia. Andrew Considine is preferred to Paul Quinn, the summer signing from Ross County, as his replacement in central defence. It means that Graeme Shinnie moves back to left-back, with Kenny McLean coming into midfield.

What it boils down to is that both ties hang in the balance and the Dons' Derek McInnes and Saints' Tommy Wright will be hoping their predictions are correct and that their charges benefit most from the milder home climate and an extra week of match preparation. Both will know there is much room for improvement, although at least Aberdeen showed in the first half last week that they have a passing game suited to European competition.

Is that me being a typically pessimistic Scot? Certainly, St Johnstone will have to up their game after they struggled to even break out of their own half faced with the searing heat and a clever Alashkert side in Armenia. Meanwhile, Aberdeen were perhaps fortunate to escape their hot reception in Macedonia with a 1-1 draw after they struggled in the second half against Shkendija.

Wimbledon hasn't even finished and Scotland's first two Europa League entrants could very well be out of it before Andy Murray plays his semi-final.