CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS suffered late heartbreak twice as they departed Europe in heart-breaking fashion.
Neil Gibson's side lost out 2-0 to NK Bravo to lose out 2-1 on aggregate in the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.
With less than three minutes left, Nemanja Jakšić scored from close range as Bravo won 1-0 on the night to see it finish 1-1 on aggregate, meaning extra time.
Then, five minutes from the end of extra time, Slovenian international Matej Poplatnik grabbed the winner.
An unchanged Nomads took to the pitch at Bangor's Nantporth ground, with Quay holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
NK Bravo were tidy in possession in the initial stages, but they posed little threat in the final third.
At the other end, battling Aron Williams got in behind the visiting defence, but his low cross was cut out.
Harry Franklin broke down the left and his cross towards Jack Kenny had to be turned behind by a visiting defender.
Bravo perhaps should have been awarded a penalty after 16 minutes.
Mark Španring went down in the box and Callum Bratley's challenge looked to be a foul, but referee Ben McMaster, from Northern Ireland, waved play on.
A header flashed across the face of goal as NK Bravo enjoyed a bright spell, but the danger was thwarted when Ratcliffe came to gather a cross.
Aron Williams was a threat down the right and another dangerous cross led to a free kick.
Martin Pečar had a rare shot from the edge of the box for Bravo that was straight at Ratcliffe.
For all their possession, the visitors were creating very little, although Slovenian international Matej Poplatnik had a header five minutes from half-time that was safely gathered.
NK Bravo went close to an opener deep in stoppage time, but Poplatnik's header struck the crossbar.
Milan Tučić should have been in from Poplatnik's flick, but a poor touch pushed him wide as the half ended goalless.
Ben Maher, the goalscorer last week, replaced the injured Bratley at half-time.
Nomads were calling for a penalty for handball against Miguel Rodrigues from Aron Williams' cross, but nothing was given.
A spell of pressure from Bravo was ended when Franklin beat three challenges to brilliantly win a free kick.
Aron Williams' great cross just eluded everyone when it just needed a touch.
Another Quay penalty appeal was turned down for a challenge on sub Elliott Dugan, while, in a bizarre moment, away keeper Matija Orbanić took the ball to the edge of the Quay box, where he fired wide.
Kai Edwards then did brilliantly to head away Stanković's powerful strike.
With less than three minutes left, Nemanja Jakšić scored from close range.
In stoppage time, Kai Edwards cleared a shot off the line and the tie went into extra time.
Into the additional half-an-hour and Sabotic almost broke free inside the area, but John Disney made his way across to make a crucial interception.
Franklin defended well from a dangerous Bravo cross as Quay battled to remain on level terms.
No further goals came in the first period of extra time.
Ben Nash and Kai Edwards were superb at the back for Nomads and, turning to the other end of the pitch, youngster Luca Hogan was introduced in place of the impressive Franklin.
Ben Maher did hit the crossbar with a cross, but the ball had already gone out of play.
Sixteen-year-old Tais Sabotic sparked a counter-attack for Bravo in the 112th minute and he set up Poplatnik, whose effort was well saved by Ratcliffe.
Understandably, a number of Nomads players succumbed to cramp due to their epic efforts.
Then, in the 115th minute, NK Bravo had their second goal.
A free kick was flicked on and Poplatnik netted from close range.
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