Nine-Men Llanelli crash out in Extra-Time

Llanelli have crashed out of Europe in Lithuania, losing to Tauras in extra-time 3-2 and ended the match with only nine men on the field after skipper Rhys Griffiths and fellow-striker Craig Moses were sent off by Macedonian referee Goran Spirkoski.

The Reds were all square in both the match and the tie as they twice came from behind to level at 2-2 on the day and 4-4 after 90 minutes.

The hosts took the lead on 17 minutes, when Irkha scored from a corner taken by Maciulis. But the Reds equalised just two minutes later when Chris Llewellyn scored his first for the club from an Antonio Corbisiero free-kick.

Irkha scored his second just after the half-hour mark, but the resilient Reds levelled once more as the recalled Jason Bowen struck on 36 minutes.

Llanelli were dealt a blow on 54 minutes when captain Rhys Griffiths was sent-off for his second bookable offence.

Despite being down to ten men the Welsh side held their hosts for the remaining 35 minutes of normal time, and the match went to extra-time.

Just a minute before the break in the first period of extra-time, a Kizys corner was met by Regelskis and Tauras restored their lead.

Reds manager Andy Legg brought himself on with ten minutes to go for goalscorer Llewellyn, but the Reds were down to nine men when striker Craig Moses was sent-off with seven minute left and then with two minutes to go Lekis was sent off for the Lithuanians and then time ran our for the Welsh side, along with their hopes of progress to the next round.