St Mirren beat Valur to continue European journey in Conference League

St Mirren have defeated FC Valur to continue their European journey in the Conference League qualifiers.

A 4-1 victory on Thursday night, following last week’s draw in Iceland, handed the Saints an aggregate victory in the tie.

They will now take on Norwegian side SK Brann in the third qualifying round of the third tier competition.

Shaun Rooney put the home side ahead in the opening stages as they looked to win their first game in Europe since 1987.

Toyosi Olusanya doubled the lead with a well deserved goal early in the second-half in front of a boisterous home crowd in Paisley.

Captain Mark O’Hara sealed the win in spectacular style with a fantastic volley into the top corner.

Valur made it a nervy finish after pulling one back from the penalty spot but Alex Iacovitti turned home from a late corner to restore the three goal lead and secure the win.

Former St Johnstone man Rooney was making his debut after returning to Scotland from a spell in England with Fleetwood Town.

And as he done so often during his time in Perth he popped up with a vital goal to make it 1-0 and give St Mirren an early lead.

Roared on by a sold-out crowd in Paisley, Stephen Robinson’s men stayed on the front-foot as they looked to double their lead.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing and they had goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe to thank for keeping them in-front when he denied a Valur counter-attack.

St Mirren took their lead into the break and the second-half was only five minutes old when they got another to put one-foot into the next round.

Roland Idowu burst through the Valur defence before unselfishly rolling the ball in to the path of Olusanya who touched into an empty net to make it 2-0.

Victory was all but sealed when O’Hara left the goalkeeper with no chance with a stunning volley to make it 3-0 with 25 minutes remaining.

Valur sewed a seed of doubt when the pulled one back after being awarded a penalty with just over 15 minutes to go.

Haraldsson stepped and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

But rather than sit back to hold on to their lead St Mirren continued to push forward and keep possession in the opposition half.

And they restored their three goal lead when Iacovitti turned home a corner to make it 4-1 and secure a trip to Norway in the next round.