A helter-skelter encounter in Belfast leaves Pogon Szczecin in the stronger position to advance as they overcame a battling Linfield team to take a three-goal advantage into the second leg.

Looking to foray further in European competition, Linfield would have wanted to take a positive result from the home leg however they started lethargically and on thirteen minutes, disaster struck.

Captain Matthew Clarke was caught unawares at the back and, trying to recover, he hurriedly attempted a tackle, which was mistimed, on Luka Zahovic and rightly penalised.

The Poles’ captain, Kamil Grosicki, formerly with a Premier League player with Hull City, stepped up confidently and converted with ease, rolling the ball past Chris Johns.

Linfield piled on the corners as they sought an equaliser, but the Pogon defence were equal to any of Clarke’s deliveries and despite the hard running of Matthew Fitzpatrick up front, were uninspired in open play.

Five minutes from the interval, Pogon showed their hosts how to profit from a set piece as Grosicki curled it into the near post where, bizarrely left unmarked, Portuguese midfielder, Joao Gamboa ghosted into to glance the ball home.

Pogon 2-0 up and in complete control as half time arrived.

After three changes early into the second half, Fitzpatrick fired wide as Linfield pushed hard and burst the door open when Kirk Millar’s free kick was spilt by away keeper, Dante Stipica and Danny Finlayson reacted first, firing an excellent strike under pressure into the top corner.

With the bit now firmly between their teeth, Linfield thought they’d found a leveller when Jack Scott dispossessed Grosicki, superbly scourging up field at pace, he went left to Fitzpatrick whose cross was tapped home by Chris McKee only for the offside flag to reprieve a wobbling Pogan team.

That proved pivotal as Pogon swiftly restored their lead, again it was a cheap concession from the NIFl outfit as Grosicki whipped in another decent corner delivery which was met by Mariusz Malec who made it 3-1 and gave Linfield a sucker punch, straight to the face.

It went from bad to worse for the home side as three minutes later, it was 4-1, Pogon forward Efthymis Koulouris snaffling up a shot which nestled beyond Johns, as the atmosphere fell flat.

With ten minutes remaining, Linfield fans had a second strike to cheer, and this was a beauty, Millar’s free chested again the architect as Fitzpatrick chested it down to defender Ben Hall who hit a sweet strike on the volley, soaring into the top corner to half the arrears.

Millar then struck gold, firing into the bottom corner which was lately flagged for offside much to the home crowd’s chagrin as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Deep into added time came another body blow, Grosicki racking up a hattrick off assists as he cruised through challenges and set up Mariusz Fornalczyk for what may well be the easiest goal the midfielder will ever score.

That replenished the three-goal cushion and leaves Linfield rueing those offside calls as well as their own porous backline, which wilted badly tonight.

So, Linfield left with it all to do as they travel to Poland next Thursday for the second leg, their European fate on the edge of ending earlier than they would like.