Shakhter Karagandy 2 St Patrick's Athletic 1:Pete Mahon's side will make the long return trip to Dublin on the back of a defeat in Kazakhstan, but that does not tell the full story of this Europa League clash.

Before the game, Pat’s boss Mahon stated that his side would need “a miracle” to get a result following their marathon journey and they were almost there when substitute David McMillan equalised after 79 minutes.

Despite the home side regaining their advantage with four minutes to go when Bosnian international Nikola Vasiljevic scored his second of the match, St Patrick’s will be well aware that all is still to play for ahead of the return leg in Richmond Park next week.

Mahon lined his team up with Daryl Kavanagh playing as a lone striker, and it was their Kazakh counterparts who made the brighter start. Paul Crowley had the Dubliners first attempt on goal after 27 minutes, as they struggled to create chances. Shakter worked their way into some good positions, but failed to get many shots away, with Pat’s goalkeeper Gary Rogers only called into action twice in a first half that ended 0-0.

Seven minutes into the second half the deadlock was broken, with Vasiljevic turning in Zhambyl Kukeyev’s corner kick.

Mahon sent McMillan on for Anto Murphy after 63 minutes in an attempt to find a goal, and the young striker made a lively introduction. Booked within 10 minutes of being on the pitch, McMillan then reacted first to Stephen Bradley’s freekick. Shakter goalkeeper Aleksandr Mokin could only parry Bradley’s effort leaving McMillan the task of sticking the ball in the net.

Pat’s were five minutes away from securing what would have been a fantastic draw, but they could not hold out, and Vasiljevic had the final word, grabbing his second of the game and Shakter’s winner.

Although the manner of the defeat will disappoint Mahon and his players, they have the consolation of knowing that ahead of next week’s game, it is Shakter that have to make the mammoth journey.