Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter insisted his players could hold their heads high after giving professional outfit Rabotnicki a few scares in yesterday’s Europa League battle in Macedonia.

The Crues produced a battling performance in searing 40 degree heat, but a 4-2 defeat, making the aggregate scoreline 5-3 to Rabotnicki, ended Irish League interest in Europe for another year.

The home side had too much firepower for the Crues ,but second-half goals from Jordan Owens and Martin Donnelly placed a more respectable look on the scoreline.

Donnelly’s 90th minute half-volley may have only been a consolation goal, but it was a sublime finish.

Baxter said: “The heat was incredible. We were facing a difficult enough test, but in the circumstances the players did very well and there were some magnificent performances.

“I thought one or two of their early goals were offside, but in the second-half we threw caution to the wind and had a right go at them. I think our boys just ran out of energy in the heat and that is to be expected. Gareth McKeown and David Magowan were brilliant at the back.”

The north-Belfast side, who were given fresh hope by David Rainey’s late equaliser in the first leg that finished 1-1, faced a daunting endurance and fitness test against their richer opponents.

In the 20th minute the home side went in front when Bobi Bozhinovski, who was fortunate not to be flagged offside, clipped the ball past goalkeeper Chris Keenan.

On 35 minutes they doubled their lead when Ze Carlos netted the first of his two goals with a powerful strike.

At half-time Baxter sent on David Rainey and Owens for Chris Morrow and Jonny Magee.

Ten minutes after the restart Donnelly unleashed a drive which went narrowly wide of the post.

Crusaders were back in the contest in the 69th minute when Owens bundled the ball home from close range.

But hopes of a brave fightback evaporated ten minutes later when Ze Carlos unleashed a bullet past Keenan.

In the 84th minute, Rabotnicki made it 4-1 when Filip Petkovski rounded Keenan and slotted the ball home.

Donnelly’s sweet half-foot volley from 15 yards rounded off the scoring, but Petkovski saw red after earning a second booking for diving following a clash with McKeown.

Rabotnicki: Bogatinov: Ristov, Sekuloski, Bojovic, B Bozinovski, Savik, Ze Carlos, Todorovski, Gligorov, V Bozinovski, Wandeir. Subs: Kmetovski, Dimovski, Muarem, Rodic, Silva, Da Silva, Petkovski.

CRUSADERS: Keenan, McKeown, Magowan, Magee, McBride, Morrow, McCann, Black, Doherty, Donnelly, Dickson. Subs: Hogg, Rainey, Melly, Caddell, Arthurs, Owens, McMaster.

Referee: Radek Prihoda (Czech Republic).