Astra Giurgiu 0 Inverness 0

Inverness' Europa League adventure came to an end after a frustrating 0-0 draw against FC Astra.

Opportunities on goal were rare for the Highland Capital club with Constantin Budescu's first-leg goal proving decisive for Astra.

The Caley Jags held their own and were certainly not overawed by the task at hand, but Astra took advantage of their profligacy to eke out a 1-0 aggregate victory.

More than 400 visiting supporters made the journey to Giurgiu from Inverness, via Bucharest, with many of them in fine voice well ahead of kick-off.

Caley Thistle made one change from last week's team at the Stadinoul Marin Anastasovici, with Ross Draper dropping out for David Raven. Astra continued with talisman Budescu in a forward role while William De Amorim started despite speculation over his future.

The hosts enjoyed an early spell of possession with head coach Marius Sumudica keen to get right-sider Gabriel Enache involved in the game, matched up against Raven.

Aaron Doran saw an early effort charged down on the edge of the area but the majority of play was in the visitors' half. The closest they came to threatening Owain Fon Williams' goal, however, was a glancing header from Valerica Gaman that went comfortably wide.

An interchange between Raven and Doran set the latter away and his cross-shot drew the first save of the game from Romanian international Silviu Lung five minutes before the break. Astra were content to sit in and allow Caley Thistle to keep possession and again Doran tested Lung, stealing in to nod a downward header at goal.

Pressure was finally starting to come from the visitors and Lung had to be at his best to tip over a rasping effort from Christie before the break. A slick move that also included Tansey found space for the 20-year-old, whose arrowing effort was tipped over the bar.

Thrust into his debut a week ago, Fon Williams had a much quieter start to this game. He was not tested until eight minutes into the second half as Budescu's scuffed effort forced him into a low stop. His first save was quickly followed by a smart second as Christie gave possession away cheaply inside his own half. The ball broke to Budescu who from 25 yards, let fly and drew a strong parry from the Welshman.

Astra were beginning to create opportunities as Inverness pushed more men forward. Junior Morais' rising effort required a strong hand from Fon Williams to tip over before Alves headed a deep cross wide.

Time ticked on and the Caley Jags were still searching for a breakthrough, with Doran drilling his shot straight into the ground that Lung gratefully claimed with 14 minutes to go.

Hughes threw on Richie Foran and Draper in a bid to turn the game but the home side should have had the game wrapped up, with Budescu wasting two glorious chances to beat Fon Williams.

However, it proved not to be required as Sumudica's team held on to book a place in the third qualifying round.