Kilmarnock drop into Conference League after narrow defeat in Belgium

A defensive mix-up put paid to Kilmarnock’s Europa League hopes as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Cercle Brugge in Belgium.

Liam Donnelly and Lewis Mayo both attacked the same cross and the ball landed at the feet of Cercle captain Thibo Somers to drill home from 10 yards midway through the first half.

Donnelly appeared set to deal with Abdul Outtara’s cross until Mayo came from behind to attempt a header in a communications breakdown.

Killie improved after Robby McCrorie saved a 52nd-minute penalty but could not take advantage of several opportunities and a 2-1 aggregate defeat drops them down to the Conference League to face Tromso in the third qualifying round. The first leg will be at Rugby Park next week.

Marley Watkins and Rory McKenzie came into the Killie side but they struggled to create chances in the opening half. Good work from Kyle Vassell gave McKenzie a chance to level but the ball was behind the midfielder and he shot over with his left foot.

The scoreline threatened to get worse for Killie. Somers had several other half chances, Kazeem Olaigbe dragged a shot wide after being gifted possession by Brad Lyons, and Hannes Van Der Bruggen headed on to the roof of the net with McCrorie stranded after punching away a cross in a crowd of bodies.

Derek McInnes introduced Matty Kennedy for Joe Wright at half-time in a bid to get more width into his team’s play but a harsh handball decision against Vassell soon led to a penalty following a VAR review.

Vassell had raised his arm as he challenged for a high ball, apparently appealing for a foul from Kevin Denkey, who headed the ball against the Killie captain’s hand from about an inch away.

But McCrorie got down to save the spot-kick from Denkey, last season’s top goalscorer in the Belgian top flight.

The save sparked Killie and their 2,500 fans into life and the visitors forced several set-pieces. Donnelly headed over after a long throw and drove in a dangerous cross following a quick free-kick which neither Robbie Deas nor Stuart Findlay could not turn home.

Watkins soon had a shot diverted over after getting in behind, before McCrorie saved well from Olaigbe at the other end.

Killie had some scares as they pushed men forward but also had chances themselves. Vassell’s pass was just too far in front of Kennedy with Brugge on the back foot and Watkins could not get a shot away after the ball broke invitingly for him inside the box.