Haverfordwest County's historic European adventure came to a frustrating end at Parc y Scarlets as indiscipline and defensive lapses cost the Bluebirds against Maltese visitors Floriana, despite producing strong performances across both legs of this first qualifying round tie.

The Pembrokeshire club, playing their home leg at the Scarlets' ground, were arguably the better side for large periods across both games saw their dreams dashed by two costly penalties and three red cards - a lack of streetwise nous that proved decisive against opponents who knew how to manage the big occasion and keep the officials on their side.

Manager Tony Pennock's side had started brilliantly, with Greg Walters firing them ahead in the 10th minute after a corner was headed down and bounced invitingly in the box. The tireless midfielder, who was our pick for Haverfordwest's man-of-the-match honours for his industry up and down the pitch, gave the home supporters - accompanied by about 50 travelling Floriana fans with their impressive white and green flag - genuine hope of overturning last week's narrow 2-1 first-leg deficit.

Ben Ahmun doubled the advantage six minutes later with a moment of individual brilliance, showing excellent footwork before finessing a superb shot into the top right corner. At 2-0 up, the Bluebirds were level on aggregate and dreaming of progression.

However, Floriana's first meaningful attack brought them back into the contest just a couple of minutes later when a deflected effort beat the Haverfordwest keeper, and the tie's complexion changed dramatically just before half-time when Alaric Jones received a second yellow card for an arm across the face as a Floriana player ran into the box.

Jake Grech stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with a cool low finish into the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way and leaving Haverfordwest trailing 3-2 on aggregate at the break.

The second half became an uphill battle for the 10 men, though they continued to compete admirably. Luc Rees produced a couple of fine saves to keep his side in the contest, but Charles M'Mombwa's excellent 67th-minute strike - a well-taken effort fired into the roof of the net after good footwork down the right - effectively killed the tie.

The evening's frustrations were compounded when manager Pennock received his marching orders from the touchline, arguing with the fourth official with whom he enjoyed a frosty relationship through without the match. The boss later apologised for his behaviour, but his side's lack of discipline was epitomised by Rhys Abbruzzese's unnecessary second yellow card for barging a player in the 90th minute.

While the referee's performance was frustratingly inconsistent throughout, Haverfordwest will undoubtedly reflect on what might have been. Their football was often impressive, particularly in the first half, and they showed enough quality and endeavour across both legs to suggest they belonged on this stage following their historic third-place finish last season.

The way this group has equipped themselves under the leadership of Pennock, after losing four of their standout players, has been nothing short of admirable.

However, two penalties conceded and three red cards tell their own story in European competition, where margins are fine and discipline is paramount. The Bluebirds' European campaign ends with pride intact but lessons learned.

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