Dundalk and Gibraltar's Brunos Magpies drew 0-0 to open their Europa Conference League campaigns.

Dundalk would have had the better opportunities in the first half of the game in the sweltering heat, but they came under some serious pressure in the second half and came close to providing a thrilling finish with a late burst of pressure that almost paid dividends but the Lilywhites failed in finding the back of the net with everything still up for grabs at Oriel Park the following week.

While both sides had early sights on goal it was Andy Boyle breaking free of the defence and laying the ball to Greg Sloggett who in turn put in a well-placed pass to Daniel Kelly whose first-time cross found Yli-Kokko with his goalbound header just flashing wide. For the home side, Andre Dos Santos attempted something special from the edge of the area but it went well wide after a long throw into the box from Chipolina had caused a few concerns.

Dundalk’s best chance of the half came halfway through the game when Louie Annesley sent Ryan O'Kane free with his effort well saved and the second ball finding Daniel Kelly on the follow-up but once again it was well blocked by Bruno's keeper Jaylan Hankins. Dundalk was getting some width down the wings with Yli-Koko's effort deflecting for a corner and from Leahy's delivery into the Bruno’s area it was met at the back post by Hoban but he just headed it wide. A moment later a counter break from the Magpies saw Storer latch onto a high pass and he tried his luck first time but it went well wide.

 The final piece of goal action of the half came when a cross from Leahy to Hoban saw the Dundalk number 9 flick the ball goalwards and forced an excellent stop from Jaylan Hankins.

The half wasn’t 30 seconds old and Bruno's Magpies should have been ahead as Chipolina's cross from the left found José Giraldez eight yards out but he fired over with only Shepperd to beat. They were to continue in the press and from a long throw that Dundalk could only clear to the 18-yard line where Kyle Casciaro was on hand but his snapshot was well saved by Sheppard.

Dundalk then had a spell in which Ryan O’Kane looked threatening however Dundalk’s press remained fruitless compared to that in the first.  Liam Nash looked as if he was to be the hero for Bruno as he hooked the ball goalwards and it looked as if he was going to see his snapshot creep in but it just went wide of the bar post with Archie Davies covering the secondary ball.

In what was a tense end to the game with a flurry of yellow cards it is all to play for in Oriel next week. With much cooler climates Dundalk may be more comfortable but Brunos does pose a major threat.