Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton felt his side performed well in their UEFA Conference League second round qualifier against FK Auda, in addition to the two goals conceded in the 2-1 defeat in the first leg in Solitude.
The Irish Cup winners will travel to Latvia needing to win next week after Abiodun Ogunniyi and Abdulraham Taiwo scored for the visitors, either side of debutant Luke Conlan’s goal.
“Two weak goals that would be costly at any level”, reflected Magilton.
“Regardless of the opponent, you cannot concede goals like that. We are very, very disappointed.
“In terms of our organization, our structure, the team, the way we define ourselves, I thought we were excellent, apart from both objectives.”
Despite the losses of strikers Ronan Hale, Ben Wilson and Sam Ashford during the summer, the Reds created their own chances, with Jonny Addis saving visiting goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris, while Shaun Leppard’s late header went wide.
“Courage,” said Magilton when asked what his team needed to reverse their deficit away from home next week.
“Take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to us and continue to play with the same intensity, the same concentration, playing in form and with the belief of really going and getting a result”.
