Derry City’s Europa League clash against CSKA Sofia was marred by ugly scenes, at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Some Bulgarian supporters charged the home fans minutes after Ellis Chapman had given the Candystripes the lead, but after a 15 minute delay, the tie restarted and Sofia in the end secured a narrow 2-1 win.
Goals from Ioannis Pittas and Mohamed Brahimi sealed the come from behind win over to progress to the next round, while Derry must get ready for next week’s Europa Conference League clash against HNK Rijeka, in Croatia.
Derry went close to breaking the deadlock on 11 minutes as a good run and cross down the left by Kevin Dos Santos ended with his low centre finding an unmarked Adam O’Reilly at the back post, but the midfielder, while on the stretch, couldn’t get the ball on target from close range.
After netting a brace last week Pittas went close to netting at the Brandywell minutes later but the Cypriot striker saw his effort from 12 yards was kept out by Brian Maher, the Derry keeper booting the ball away.
Right on the stroke of half-time Dos Santos found Michael Duffy down the left and skipper raced at the Sofia back-line before his left footed strike from a tight angle was pushed away by Sofia keeper Dimitar Evtimov.
The home side were forced into making a change with Nick Twisk replacing Dos Santos, who seemed to injure his hamstring just before the break.
Derry broke the deadlock on 47 minutes as Duffy’s right wing free-kick deep to the back post drew Evtimov off his line and Fleming’s header back into the six yard box found Chapman, who made no mistake from close range.
Chapman should have doubled Derry’s lead moments later as Barry Cotter raced down the right before his cross picked out the former Shelbourne man saw his volley at the back post flash well wide.
There were ugly scenes just before the hour mark as Sofia fans charged and attacked Derry stewards and supporters, before woman and children raced onto the pitch and the game was halted for over 15 minutes before the situation was sorted out.
Pittas levelled things somewhat against the run of play on 75 minutes as a defensive mistake allowed the frontman to lift the ball over Maher, before the ball rolled into the unguarded net.
Soon after Maher was nearly caught out as substitute Jean-Philippe Gbamin saw his 70 yard attempt over the Dubliner, who was miles out of his goal, flashed just wide.
Evtimov had to make a big save deep into stoppage time as he fumbled Duffy’s left wing strike, after the winger’s shot seemed to take a slight deflection.
In the closing stages substitute Mohamed Brahimi with his first touch was on hand to turn the ball home, to seal the tie, after Bruno Jordao’s had played a neat one-two with the substitute, before he bundled the ball home from close range.
Unfortunately some home supporters came onto the pitch and attempted to attack Sofia keeper Evtimov, before referee Jasmin Sabotic hauled the game for a second time, only for a matter of moments before blowing the final whistle and ending the tie.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Conor Barr, Christy Grogan (Jamie Stott 90), Patrick McClean, Brandon Fleming; Barry Cotter, Ellis Chapman (James Clarke 75), James Olayinka (Cameron Dummigan 90), Kevin Dos Santos (Nick Twisk HT); Adam O’Reilly, Michael Duffy.
CSKA Sofia: Dimitar Evtimov, Pastor, Bruno Jordao, Stefano Sensi, Leandro Godoy (Joel Zwarts 56), Teodor Ivanov, Angelo Martino, Ioannis Pittas (Mohamed Brahimi 103), Petko Panayotov (James Eto’o 56), Facundo Rodriguexz, Isaac Solet (Jean-Philippe Gambin 56).
Referee: Jasmin Sabotic (Luxembourg).