Football: Dundee United hit back

DUNDEE UNITED will take a narrow lead to Slovakia in two weeks' time after coming from behind to beat Tatran Presov 3-2 at Tannadice Park, writes Rupert Metcalf.

Two goals in three minutes from Jerren Nixon and David Hannah turned things round for the Scots, who had trailed at half-time. Marian Skalka thrashed in the visitors' first from 25 yards. The Serbian sweeper, Gordan Petric, headed an equaliser but then gave away a penalty, which was converted by Vladislav Zvara.

Lawrie Sanchez's debut as a European manager ended in a 2-1 defeat for his Sligo Rovers side at the hands of the powerful Belgians, Club Bruges. With Jack Charlton among a capacity 6,000 crowd, Sven Vermandt gave the visitors an early lead. John Kenny levelled for the Irish Cup holders just before the break but Gert Verheyen hit a second-half winner.

The Italian aristocrats, Sampdoria, were beaten 3-2 by Bodo / Glimt in a tie switched from Bodo's ground north of the Arctic Circle to Oslo. Tom Kare Staurvik and Bent Inge Johnsen gave the Norwegians a two-goal lead, Mauro Bertarelli pulled one back just after the break, but Johnsen soon added his second. It was left to England's David Platt, with a powerful header, to give Samp a decent chance in the home leg.