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The New Saints left Iceland with their Europa League hopes still very much alive after a narrow 2-1 defeat in their first qualifying round first leg tie against Fram Reykjavik.

Former Wales international Steve Evans headed the Welsh side into a 23rd-minute lead which lasted 10 minutes before former Chelsea youth player Sam Tillen equalised from the penalty spot.

Heidar Geir Juliusson put Fram ahead three minutes into the second half and the home side hung on to their slender advantage, but the visitors had plenty of cause for hope ahead of next week's second leg in Oswestry.

TNS started the stronger of the sides and Matthew Berkeley was first to have a crack at goal as early as the fifth minute.

Berkeley was then cautioned in the 20th minute for a rash challenge but he was all smiles four minutes later as his side went ahead. Evans applying the direct header to stun the home crowd.

The lead was short-lived though and the Chelsea youngster Tillen made no mistake with his 34th-minute spot-kick.

And the turnaround was complete shortly after the break when Juliusson slammed home.

Daniel Holmes and Barry Hogan had second-half efforts for TNS, who will be confident of overturning their deficit in the second leg.

PA Sport