CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS left their mark in Scotland last season - and Andy Morrison will challenge his players to reproduce their heroics next month.

Nomads became the first side from outside of Scotland to reach the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup, Morrison’s men losing 3-1 to Ross County after taking a lead through Michael Bakare’s fine solo effort.

But Nomads will have to dig even deeper as they enter a fourth successive season of Europa League action having been drawn against Scottish Premiership high-flyers Kilmarnock in the first qualifying round.

Under Steve Clarke, who has since left to become Scotland boss, Kilmarnock finished third in the top-flight, behind only Celtic and Rangers.

The challenge facing Nomads is a tough one, but Morrison is relishing the chance to head over the border.

“We will be going into the game full on and all in,” declared Morrison. “We will have no regrets at the end of the tie, we will give everything we’ve got.

“When we leave Kilmarnock I guarantee they will know they’ve been in a game.

“We’ve beaten Stabaek and Helsinki, so it’s a game of football we are looking forward to.”

Nomads were given five potential opponents the night before the draw with Malmo, Brann, Kilmarnock, Vitebsk and Vaduz all in wait.

In terms of coefficient, Vaduz were the most favourable opposition, but the Liechtenstein outfit beat Bala 5-1 on aggregate two years ago.

“There are just no easy games,” said Morrison. “Every single team in the draw was a top team in their league last season.

“The level of competition is quite remarkable.”

A big plus for Nomads is the distance - and cost - of travelling to Kilmarnock compared with Norway, Sweden, Liechtenstein or Belarus.

With finances tight, Nomads could save a significant amount of money, although Morrison’s focus was on the pitch.

He continued: “When I looked at the draw last night and you see the teams from Norway and Sweden you start thinking.

“Playing Malmo could have been a disaster, but this is a better game in all respects.”

Nomads will entertain Kilmarnock on Thursday, July 11 at Rhyl’s Belle Vue - after exploring Wrexham's Racecourse as a potential venue - before a trip to Rugby Park a week later.

Barry Town United and Cliftonville will fight it out for the chance to take on FK Haugesund of Norway when they meet in the preliminary round, while Cardiff Met’s prospective reward for beating Progres Niederkorn will be a clash with Cork City.

Northern Ireland’s Ballymena will take on Malmo of Sweden if they can see their way past NSI Runavik in the preliminary round and Crusaders face B36 Torshavn.

Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers have also landed a trip to Norway after being paired with Brann

The New Saints will face the winners of the Champions League preliminary round. Feronikeli take on Lincoln Red Imps, while Tre Penne meet FC Santa Coloma on June 25, with the two victors progressing to a play-off three days later.