Derry City crash out of Europe following penalty shootout heartache in Tallaght

Derry City 1 FC Tobol 1 (1-1 on agg, Tobol win 6-5 on pens)

Derry City players react while watching the shootout

Cian Kavanagh of Derry City reacts to a missed opportunity

IT was always going to be a long night for the Derry residents who descended on Dublin, an early hours return guaranteed before a ball was kicked.

In the end, it was almost an early hours departure, with deflation hanging in the air after an agonising defeat on penalties to Kazakhstan’s FC Tobol with Candystripes keeper Brian Maher having his effort saved in a shootout that went to sudden death.

After the first eight penalties were converted, Derry's Ben Doherty was denied by visiting keeper Ivan Konovalov after a last minute switch to the order. There was a reprieve when Jovan Ilic struck the bar but Maher wasn't able to convert when his turn came around before four outfield players, with Konovalov winning their personal battle. Pavel Kireenko dispatched the final blow.

Derry were out on their feet at the end of extra time, with injured centre half Mark Connolly forced to relocate and become a makeshift striker with all subs used.

The legs will be heavier after this outcome, with Derry waving goodbye to the chance to bring their European rewards across the €1m mark and set-up a group stage showdown with Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic.

Their conditioning team will also be working overtime ahead of Sunday's FAI Cup meeting with St Patrick's Athletic at the Brandywell.

At half-time, it was all going swimmingly for the temporary residents of Tallaght, a rendition of Teenage Kicks as they emerged from the tunnel an unusual sight for any locals in attendance.

The first part of their task was to level the tie, a mission that was achieved inside 15