Dundalk 0 NK Varteks 4
(Varteks win 9-0 on aggregate)
Dundalk suffered their second worst defeat in Europe as they bowed out with a whimper to Croatians Varteks at Tolka Park.
Varteks, 5-0 winners at a canter from the first leg in Varazdin a fortnight ago, stretched their lead within 21 minutes of the return with a simple textbook goal.
Skipper Milenko Mumlek sent over a corner from the right which was firmly headed past John Connolly and into the net by central defender Matija Kristic.
Sadly for outclassed First Division side Dundalk, the goal had been coming virtually from the start as the Croats, despite six changes from the first leg, created all the openings.
Frane Petricevski shot wide from Veldin Karic's clever back heel on five minutes before Petricevic saw his downward header from Mumlek's corner bounce narrowly wide.
Having taken their early lead Varteks continued to make the play and the openings.
The impressive Mumlek stung the hands of Connolly on 24 minutes and minutes later Dundalk right-back John Whyte made a superb block tackle on Petricevic.
David Ward lifted the siege with Dundalk's first effort on goal on 34 minutes, a long-range shot which was ably dealt with by goalkeeper Zeljko Rumbak.
Several further scares were survived by Dundalk before the interval, the pick of them a skilful snapshot with his back to goal from Mumlek which Connolly held.
Varteks increased their lead on the night five minutes after the interval when a sweeping move involving Igor Jancevski and Ilami Halimi put substitute Nedin Halilovic in to sidefoot past Connolly.
To add to Dundalk's miserable night they then had central defender Bryan McCrystal, booked for dissent in the first half, sent off for a second card for a foul on Halilovic five minutes later.
A mistake by Robbie Bruton gifted Ivica Huljev Varteks' third goal on 69 minutes with Ivan Fumic drilling home the fourth eleven minutes from the end.