RHYL Football Club played host to another significant European fixture recently.

The Lilywhites’ Educate Group Stadium welcomed back Europa League heroes Connah’s Quay Nomads following their sensational triumph at Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, with the formidable foe of Partizan Belgrade awaiting them on Thursday, July 25.

Hundreds once again turned out in force for the clash, which was played in sweltering conditions due to the heatwave sweeping its way across the country.

The tie also attracted a famous face in the form of Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who was believed to be scouting Serbian youth international defender Strahinja Pavlovic, according to reports.

The visitors controlled possession throughout the majority of the contest but were met by fierce resistance from an extremely well-drilled Nomads outfit, with a second half strike from Aleksandar Scekic shortly after the hour mark separating the two sides at full-time.

Nomads’ boss Andy Morrison, said: “We needed to be in the game and we're firmly in the game.

"It was important that we went there still with a chance of doing something magical and we firmly are.

"We saw enough in the last 10 minutes to know we can ruffle them, get in behind them, down the sides of them and we can create chances - and we will.

"We will get a goal away in Belgrade, whether they score four or five is a different matter, but we will get a goal there.

"It is a very, very good outfit and a very strong team who I was impressed with.

"But not as impressed as I was with my group of players, who I thought were outstanding and gave an incredible account of themselves.

"The gulf is huge and we know where we are in the food chain compared to Partizan Belgrade and yet we keep dining at the same table as teams like that.

"That's testament to what we are as a football club."