CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS will now be working on trying to make it five successive years in Europe.

Despite going out 3-0 in Serbia last night - 4-0 on aggregate - Andy Morrison’s Nomads have done Wales proud with a superb early season run in the Europa League.

They produced one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history when beating Kilmarnock in a never-to-be-forgotten Battle of Britain and then put up two outstanding performances against Partizan Belgrade - one of the most decorated teams in European football.

Nomads may have lost out but having had a taste of Europe for a fourth consecutive year, they’ll want more of the same in 12 months time.

And first team coach Craig Harrison insists that European qualification is the lifeblood of any Welsh Premier League season.

“It’s been really enjoyable and I have loved every minute,” said Harrison of Nomads’ eye-catching Europa League adventure.

“It great that every team that qualifies gets the opportunity to test themselves against some of the best teams in European football.

“And having had so much experience with TNS and it being the lifeblood of the season. It’s what all the players have worked so hard to get and the reward of European football keeps you going throughout a tough season.

“We all want to win trophies first and foremost, but if you can get into Europe consistently, then it’s a great starting point.

“It’s also a massive pulling point to players coming into the Welsh Premier League from other more established leagues.”

Nomads stunned Kilmarnock 3-2 on aggregate, overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit in the process, while The New Saints made Champions League progress as they overcame Feronikeli.

Harrison, who won six successive titles with The New Saints, also feels that Welsh football is improving.

The 41-year-old spent around 18 months away from the top-tier, heading for Hartlepool United from TNS before trying to lead Bangor City out of the Cymru Alliance.

“Being away from the Welsh Premier League for a year I definitely see an improvement with everything from TV coverage, grounds, support, managers, coaches and, most importantly, players,” he said.

“I would 100 per cent say the league has improved massively regarding professionalism, fitness and all-round knowledge and the key for me is as many teams as possible being full time, and then I think you would see a massive shift in European results.”

Umar Sadiq missed an early sitter and then failed to make the most of a dreadful mix-up between John Disney and keeper Lewis Brass as captain George Horan raced back to clear off the line.

Nomads defended for the lives in the opening 45 minutes but had a chance themselves, Michael Wilde heading wide when he may have done a little better.

Declan Poole - Nomads’s best player on the night - headed off the line from dangerman Seydouba Soumah before former Manchester United player Zoran Tosic eventually broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half, ironically catching Nomads on the counter attack after Jay Owen had lost possession 10 yards inside the Partizan half.

That gave Savo Milosevic’s side confidence and despite looking like he handballed it, substitute Ognjen Ozegovic smashed in a second on 69 minutes and three minutes later 16-year-old Filip Stevanović, who had also come off the bench, made it three to end Nomads’ European adventure.