BALA TOWN 0

TRE FIORI 0

(Aggregate 0-3)

CHRIS Venables was just inches off target as Bala keep knocking on the door in their Europa League tie at home to Tre Fiori.

Still needing three goals to force extra time, Bala Town are still fighting in their Europa League encounter at home to San Marino's Tre Fiori.

They forced three early corners after the interval, one of which saw Kieran Smith having an effort blocked, before the ball was cleared.

Steven Tames came on to replace frontman Andy Mangan and he was soon picking up a yellow card for an alleged foul on the goalkeeper.

Still Bala pressed and Rob Pearson's 64th minute cross was blocked at the expense of a corner.

The Lakesiders sensed a potential goal a minute later following an epic scramble in the box, but the ball was eventually cleared by Tre Fiori.

Next, it's the turn of Andy Burns to put the ball in for Bala, but once again the chance disappears for the home side.

Another scramble soon followed as Bala desperately went looking for that vital opening goal and when the ball came out to Nathan Burke, his shot was blocked.

In a rare opportunity at the other end, Tre Fiori could have put the tie to bed, but a header went a smidge wide of the post.

Bala made another change midway through the half, with Evan Horwood coming on to replace Kieran Smith.

Normal service was soon resumed, with Bala well on the front foot and they were so, so close to taking the lead on the night when Chris Venables curled his attempt just inches over the top.

The second yellow card of the night arrived when Pizzolato was booked for Tre Fiori.

Earlier, the Lakesiders made a number of very good opportunities.

Andy Burns ball was flicked on by Kieran Smith and Ian Sheridan - who has scored so many vital goals for Bala in Europe - put his effort inches wide.

The best chance of the first half saw a cross in by Kieran Smith, while the final ball from Chris Venables trickled across the face of the visitors' goal.

The hosts also had a penalty shout turned down shortly prior to half-time when Kieran Smith was bundled over in the box.

Bala number one Ashley Morris was called into action to make a superb save from Vassalo.

Bala: Ashley Morris, Andy Burns, Sean Smith, Anthony Miley, Stuart Jones, Rob Pearson, Nathan Burke, Chris Venables, Ian Sheridan, Kieran Smith, Andy Mangan (Tames).

Subs: Vaughn Charles (gk), Stuart J Jones, Steven Tames, Evan Horwood, Ryan Valentine, Josh Jones.