Craig Harrison delighted with TNS Champions League performance

The stalemate ensured the Welsh Premier champions stayed in the hunt for next Tuesday's testing return leg in Cyprus, and Harrison was delighted with his team's resolve against classy opposition brimming with European pedigree.

"The lads were fantastic, and to still be in the tie gives everyone a real boost," he said after the first leg of the second qualifying round.

"As a team, that was the best performance these lads have put in since I've been here.

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"Domestically, we are known for our free flowing and attacking football, but we knew the boot would be on the other foot tonight.

"We knew we would have to give them territory and defend, but we were very disciplined and worked really hard to a man. It gives us a real boost to be going over there with something to hold on to.

"Although we had to defend for long spells, we still caused them problems going forward, had a few half chances, got in some good areas, and with a bit of luck may have got a goal."

Although APOEL bossed possession, many of their attacks petered out in the final third, with keeper Paul Harrison only called into one save of note when diving to turn away a 20-yard shot from former Chelsea man Nuno Morais.

Despite happy to sit deep, Oswestry-based TNS had a couple of half chances themselves, Scott Quigley seeing a header comfortably clutched by keeper Boy Waterman while sub Chris Seargeant and Ryan Brobbel were unable to cash in when given a sight of goal.

Saints defender Phil Baker was man of the match on an evening which he equalled club coach Scott Ruscoe's Welsh record of 30 appearances in Europe.