Derry City ’s European hopes are still very much alive following this creditable 1-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia last night.

The single goal reverse sets things up nicely for the Europa League second leg, third qualifying round tie at the Brandywell next Thursday night.

City, who once again started with a 4-5-1 formation in Sofia, brought in Kevin Deery and Tommy Stewart for Ciaran Martyn and Mark Farren in the only changes to their starting line-up which secured a 1-1 draw at Skonto Riga in the last round.

Playing in glorious sunshine, the home side had a lot of possession throughout the entire first half but crucially for Derry, CSKA never really threatened keeper Gerard Doherty.

In fact the Bulgarians had a host of long range efforts, which sailed well off target and also led to some boos from their supporters.

A rare break down field by the visitors saw them force a corner three minutes later, but Clive Delaney’s downward header from Ruaidhri Higgins’ delivery was cleared by Pavel Vidanov.

Just after the half-hour mark Stewart had a half chance when Ger O’Brien’s run and cross had picked the ex-Linfield striker out, but his header from 12 yards failed to trouble Zdravko Chavdarov in the Sofia goal.

Just before the half time break left winger Ivan Stoianov got in behind Ger O’Brien, but with his weaker right foot he curled the ball well wide of Doherty’s goal.

After a half-time dressing down from manager Lyuboslav Penev the home side started the second half a lot more brightly and could have gone in front in the 47th minute.

Midfielder Marcos Antônio Malachias got away from O’Brien, but his low angled drive was superbly kept out by the alert Doherty.

After that early scare Derry were unlucky not to catch Sofia on the break when Deery’s pass released Tam McManus, but the Scotsman couldn’t repeat last week’s heroics in Latvia and blasted into the side netting from a tight angle.

A shot by Kosta Yanev took a wicked bounce just in front of Doherty and the keeper did well to keep the shot out, however he couldn’t hold the effort and fortunately substitute Safet Seidhodzha Durmushali blasted the loose ball wide.

The deadlock was broken in the 74th minute when a long throw into the Derry box was headed out by Delaney, but midfielder Ivan Stoianov was on hand to superbly fire the ball through a ruck of players into Doherty’s bottom right hand corner.

To their credit the Candystripes pushed forward for that all important away goal and they probably should have got it four minutes later.

A fantastic move down the right involving O’Brien and substitute Eddie McCallion ended with Higgins’ clever lay-off inside the area finding sub Farren, but with Stewart well placed the striker blasted well over Chavdarov’s bar.

CSKA Sofia : Chavdarov, Vidanov, Kotev, Timonov, Reis, Petrov, Ivanov, Yanev, Malachias, Minev, Stoianov. Subs: Orlinov for Petrov (59); Durmushali for Timonov (66 mins); Todorov for Marinho Reis (81 mins).

Derry City : Doherty, O’Brien, Hutton, Delaney, Gray; Stewart, Molloy, Higgins, Deery, McGlynn; McManus. Subs: Farren for McManus (72); McCallion for McGlynn (74); Martyn for Higgins (82).

Referee: Selcuk Dereli (Turkey).