Kilmarnock and St Mirren still alive in Europe after first leg draws
Kilmarnock and St Mirren have kept themselves alive in their European ties after draws in their first legs.
David Watson headed an equaliser to ensure Kilmarnock will travel to Belgium with everything to play for following a 1-1 draw with Cercle Brugge in Europa League qualifying.
Killie responded well after Kazeem Olaigbe gave the visitors the lead early in the second half at Rugby Park and Watson got the final touch as a long throw paid dividends in the 70th minute.
The 19-year-old midfielder was not yet born when the Ayrshire side last played a competitive overseas game in 2001 and his intervention, coupled with a strong finish from the hosts, will give the 2,500 Killie fans who have tickets for next week's second leg every hope they can reach the third qualifying round.
Kilmarnock's previous foray into Europe five years ago fell flat with defeat by Connah's Quay Nomads under Angelo Alessio, who had just taken over from Steve Clarke.
Killie almost got off to a dream start when captain Kyle Vassell forced a decent stop after 10 seconds, but the visitors created the better chances in the first half.
Cercle dominated the early stages of the second half and took the lead 10 minutes in.
There was nothing complicated about the build-up. The visitors were first to a couple of second balls following a hopeful ball forward and Olaigbe made space to sweep his finish home from 18 yards.
Killie looked dangerous from set-pieces and levelled when the ball flashed in off Watson's head after Vassell had won Kennedy's long throw in the air.
Vassell was unaware of his team-mate's role as he celebrated and he almost got on the score sheet himself with a header which grazed the outside of a post.
Substitute Fraser Murray twice came close in stoppage-time with a powerful volley which was well saved and a curling free-kick which looped on to the top of the net.
St Mirren spurned a host of chances to claim a first-leg lead against Valur as their first European outing in 37 years ended goalless.
The Icelandic side, who were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages, had opportunities of their own in an entertaining Europa Conference League second qualifying-round tie in Reykjavik.
The Buddies, however, caused their hosts enough problems to fancy their chances of progressing in the return leg in Paisley next Thursday.
Saints had two of their summer signings in the starting line-up, with goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe and midfielder Oisin Smyth handed their competitive debuts.
Valur included 34-year-old former Everton and Tottenham attacker Gylfi Sigurdsson, Iceland's record goal-scorer, in their starting XI.
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