CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS produced one of the best ever results in Europe as they triumphed 1-0 in Slovenia against Bravo.

Ben Maher, a summer signing, came off the bench to put Nomads ahead in the 83rd minute.

It sets Nomads up nicely for next Thursday’s second leg at Bangor’s Nantporth Stadium with Bosnians Zrinjski Mostar awaiting the winners in the second qualifying round.

Nomads were aiming to make amends for last year’s exit at this stage of the competition as they lost 2-0 in both legs to KA Akureyri.

And Neil Gibson’s side - with keeper George Ratcliffe and former New Saints skipper Chris Marriott handed debuts - gave their all from the first whistle in sweltering temperatures at Siska Sports Park in Ljubljana.

The hosts flew at Nomads in the first 10 minutes as the game kicked off in 30 degrees heat.

Jakoslav Stankovic’s deflected cross trickled past the post while Mark Spanring’s header was inches wide.

Nomads’ first chance of the game came on 17 minutes when Harry Franklin was denied by home keeper Matija Orbanić.

Matej Poplatnik wasted Bravo’s best opportunity as he failed to hit the target with a header from just eight yards out 13 minutes before the break.

Nomads had penalty claims turned down after Declan Poole went down in the box while Franklin again went close as the minutes ticked down.

A draw would have been a ‘Bravo’ result for The Deesiders but Maher was having none of it as he smashed in the only goal of the game with seven minutes to go.

It’s the latest in a series of top results in Europe for the part-timers from Deeside.

Nomads’ two biggest victories came away from home against Stabaek in their first ever European excursion in 2016, and also a memorable 2-1 victory over Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock five years ago.

The Europa Conference ties will be a taster for the new domestic season that begins with a home game against Haverfordwest County on August 11.

And once again it will be Nomads' quest to keep up with champions The New Saints, who finished 33 points ahead of them last season.