Lomas rues Hasselbaink miss

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas sensed nerves among his Eskisehirspor counterparts before the loss of an away goal killed off their Europa League hopes.

Nigel Hasselbaink had a good chance to level the second qualifying-round tie at 2-2 after Gregory Tade had opened the scoring on the night with a 35th-minute header.

Goalkeeper Ruud Buffin parried the Dutchman's effort from 12 yards though following Liam Craig's cross, and Saints were soon caught on the break after a corner with former Celtic striker Diomansy Kamara driving the ball across goal for Veysel Sari to net in the 51st minute.

Craig missed another good chance for Saints but the Turks killed off the contest to secure a 3-1 aggregate win and a meeting with Marseille. Lomas admitted Hasselbaink's chance was crucial.

"We thought it was a bit easier than that," he said. "When you watch it on the DVD he is under pressure but it was a nice height for Ruud.

"It was very much the key moment. They looked very nervous on the bench when Nigel had that chance, but we let them get the away goal. We always knew that could happen but off our set play, that's the disappointing thing."

But Lomas was generally full of praise for his players after the club's first European encounter for 13 years.

"We looked fitter and were coming on stronger," he said. "Over the two legs we have probably had the better chances. All credit to the lads. It was two deflected goals out there.

"That's the small margins in football - when you play against the better teams you have to take your chances. Effectively once the away goal went in, it was done.

"But that will hold us in good stead for the season, playing like that against a team with a reputed 30million-euro budget."