Hanssen leveller denies Lincoln dream start

Levi Hanssen's second-half equaliser handed HB Tórshavn an away-goal advantage and denied Lincoln FC the perfect start to their European adventure.

Nineteen minutes from a famous debut victory at the Victoria Stadium, the Gibraltarian trailblazers – who took the lead through Joseph Chipolina's penalty – were caught out by an excellent pass from Kristin Mouritsen, Hanssen doing the rest to secure a 1-1 draw for the Faroese outfit.

It was a moment of redemption for Mouritsen, whose foul on Lee Casciaro had offered Chipolina the opportunity to open the scoring from the spot on 18 minutes. Fródi Benjaminsen's header came back off the frame of the goal as the visitors hunted an immediate riposte, but Lincoln could have doubled their eventual half-time lead had Teitur Gestson not been equal to Kyle Casciaro's effort.

After the interval HB tightened the screw and twice came close midway through the second half. Jóan Edmunsson's head was in his hands after failing to convert a golden chance from two metres out, before home keeper Jordan Perez matched Benjaminsen's shot from range. The pressure paid dividends, though, and Hanssen reaped the rewards.

Chipolina's free-kick brought a brilliant save from Gestson, but a winning goal evaded the hosts, who travel to the Faroe Islands on Tuesday. A second qualifying round meeting with FK Partizan is at stake.