Crusaders 0-2 Ludogorets (agg: 0-9)

Crusaders lost 2-0 to Ludogorets at Seaview as they were eliminated from the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

It follows last week’s reverse fixture, which ended 7-0 in favour of the Bulgarians.

It means the Belfast club drop into the Europa League, and will face the loser of the tie between Qarabag and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Having been so heavily defeated a week ago, Crusaders were only playing for pride at Seaview, and the visitors were comfortable for the duration.

Winger Jody Lukoki had caused Rodney Brown all sorts of problems in the opening minutes, and this eventually led to the Bulgarians opening the scoring.

In the 11th minute, yet another pass was fed in behind the left-back, and in a panic Brown lobbed the ball over his own keeper from the edge of the box.

90 seconds later the Bulgarians hit the post, and in the 28th minute Sean O’Neill did well to turn away a Terziev header.

Matthew Snoddy had to clear a Ludogorets shot off the line early into the second half, before Crusaders went close with Jordan Forsythe heading against the bar in the 56th minute.

In the 65th minute, Jakub Swierczok doubled the visitors’ lead with a low shot from just outside the box to make it 9-0 on aggregate.

David Cushley tested the keeper with an effort 5 minutes later, but Crusaders were unable to find what would have been a consolation goal as Ludogorets held on for a straightforward win.