Shamrock Rovers were dealt a blow as they fell to a 4-2 first leg defeat away to Flora Tallinn in the final round of UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying this evening.

Goals from Sergei Zenjov and Martin Miller put the hosts in a commanding position before Rovers got back into the tie shortly before half time through Graham Burke’s effort.

Rauno Sappinen put the hosts further in front before Liam Scales reduced the deficit but a second for Miller restored the home side’s two-goal cushion going into next week’s second leg.  

The defeat ends Shamrock Rovers’ impressive eight-game winning streak in all competitions.

Despite a promising start, Rovers were behind after being caught playing out from the back and a brilliant ball found Zenjov who made no mistake in opening the scoring.

Graham Burke had an effort from 25 yards out that narrowly went over the crossbar before Rovers went further behind inside the opening hour.

The home side’s dominance was rewarded as Miller made it 2-0 as the Estonian side broke quickly, and the ball found the attacker who used neat footwork to create space to smash the ball into the net.

A huge chance for Rovers went begging as Dylan Watts went through one on one but his shot was straight at Matvei Igonen in the Flora goal.

But from the following corner, Graham Burke pulled one back for Rovers as he poked home from close range after Flora struggled to clear their lines.

Roberto Lopes made a huge error as he was dispossessed allowing Sappinen through on goal but Alan Mannus made an impressive vital save.

At the other end Burke forced a save but, on the counterattack, Flora broke forward dangerously once more and Sappinen went through on goal again but failed to hit the target by skying a great opportunity.

Rovers went further behind as Sappinen finally got on the scoresheet with a clinical finish punishing the Irish side’s lacklustre defence.

Liam Scales pulled one back with a header from a difficult angle before Miller got his second as he was allowed too much time in the box to power the ball into the net with a fine finish.