UEL: Kilmarnock demoted to Conference League

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Cercle Brugge 1 - 0 Kilmarnock (Cercle Brugge won 2-1 on aggregate)

Before the match, Bruges was awash in blue and white as 2,500 Kilmarnock fans flocked to the city.

UEL: Kilmarnock demoted to Conference League

However, there was no European triumph for the Ayrshire men, who fell to a 1-0 defeat against Cercle Brugge, losing 2-1 on aggregate in their Europa League second qualifying round tie.

The matchwinner for the hosts was Thibo Somers, who capitalised on a defensive mix-up by Liam Donnelly and Lewis Mayo to score in a scrappy affair at the Jan Breydelstadion.

Despite the defeat, the travelling fans had something to cheer about early in the second half when Robby McCrorie saved a Kevin Denkey penalty.

Kilmarnock, despite their efforts, couldn’t find a breakthrough and will now move to the Europa Conference League, facing Norwegian side Tromso in the third qualifying round, with the home leg at Rugby Park next Thursday.

Derek McInnes made two changes to the side from the first leg, with last season's top scorer Marley Watkins fit to play and Rory McKenzie earning a start. They replaced Matty Kennedy and David Watson.

Before kick-off, the away fans were in full voice, and almost had something to celebrate just three minutes in when Kyle Vassell robbed Jesper Daland and squared the ball to Watkins, who couldn’t get a shot away.

UEL: First leg match report from Kilmarnock 

Click here for more news from across Belgium

Cercle Brugge dominated possession early on, with Hannes van der Bruggen and Kevin Denkey both having attempts, the latter attempting an audacious lob from 35 yards.

Kilmarnock's defence was resolute until the 22nd minute when Somers scored following a mix-up between Donnelly and Mayo. Cercle could have doubled their lead before the break, but Kazeem Olaigbe fired wide after a slack pass from Brad Lyons.

At half-time, Joe Wright, who had a rough first 45 minutes, was replaced by Matty Kennedy. This change saw Brad Lyons move to full-back with Mayo partnering Stuart Findlay in central defence.

Kilmarnock received a boost seven minutes into the second half when McCrorie saved Denkey’s penalty after a handball from Vassell.

This save sparked Kilmarnock’s best spell of the game, but their efforts were in vain. Donnelly’s back-post header went wide, and Findlay missed a chance six yards out.

Find more Kilmarnock news stories here

Late in the game, Kilmarnock had a penalty appeal turned down when Warleson and substitute Matty Kennedy collided in the box. Cercle nearly sealed the win five minutes from time when Francis fired just over from the edge of the box.

Despite the defeat, the Kilmarnock fans remained in high spirits, showing their appreciation for the team as loudly after the game as they did before kick-off.

Location: Bruges, Belgium

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