CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS might have bowed out of the Europa League - but they will be back if boss Andy Morrison has anything to do with it.

Nomads had a mountain to climb heading into last night’s first qualifying round second-leg clash with Shakhtyor Soligorsk, who led 3-1 after the opening fixture at Rhyl’s Belle Vue.

And try as they might, Morrison’s men were unable to create panic in the Soligorsk camp with an early goal.

Instead it was Soligorsk who extended their advantage through Elis Bakaj’s penalty after Andy Owens was deemed to have committed a foul.

Nomads were then dealt a double blow as captain George Horan was forced off with a head injury before the break and Owens was sent-off just after the hour mark.

Bordachev then made it 2-0 to Soligorsk, who held on to claim a 5-1 aggregate success, despite late pressure from Nomads, who saw Ryan Wignall hit the post.

It was Nomads’ third successive venture into Europe and player/coach Danny Harrison believes the Flintshire outfit are in good hands as they look to extend that to four next year.

The former Tranmere Rovers midfielder praised Morrison for giving Nomads the best chance of succeeding.

“He values your opinion and that is what makes you feel good,” said Harrison. “He asks people for their opinion and he listens to what they’ve got to say.

“I wish he was around for me 10 years ago when I was playing in the Football League because he’s one of the best I’ve worked under.

“He’s old school in his values and he makes you want to play for him, he makes you want to run through brick walls because you don’t want to be seen to be letting him down.

“He makes sure we prepare for every game properly and it’s great to be able to work so closely with him, Neil (Gibson) and Jay (Catton).”

From the outside looking in it can look like Morrison is nothing more than a ranter and raver given his all-action touchline style, but anyone who has had the privilege of working under the former Manchester City captain knows better than that.

Striker Andy Owens was signed by Morrison in January and went on to score a hat-trick in the Welsh Cup last four thumping of Bangor City, before netting after coming off the bench in the final victory over Aberystwyth.

Owens explained: “He puts in an awful lot of effort with research. He looks like a shouting and ranting manager, but he’s much more than that and even when he does shout he’s never wrong with what he says. I’m lucky to work under him and behind the scenes you get to see how good he is and the way he talks about things is very good.”