Laursen leaves it late

FC Midtjylland 1-0 NK Varteks
A last-gasp header from Mogens Laursen gave FC Midtjylland a 1-0 first-leg victory against NK Varteks as they met in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

Gifted visitors
Chances were few and far between in the first half as Midtjylland failed to seize the early initiative and struggled to make an impact against a technically gifted Varteks side who deserved to be ahead by the break.

Hrman chance
Daniel Hrman had the first chance of the match when he twisted and turned past two defenders before unleashing a terrific shot that was just tipped over the bar by Peter Skov-Jensen. Veldin Karic also could have broken the deadlock but his 24th-minute shot from a tight angle hit the side-netting and Skov-Jensen was again on hand to keep the game goalless when he blocked a shot from Miljenko Mumlek four minutes before half-time.

Rathe rises
The Danish side seized the initiative from the start of the second half as they pressed forward and should have taken the lead after 65 minutes when Thomas Rathe rose above the Croatian defence to send a bullet header just wide of the target.

Laursen delivers
Thomas Thomasberg also came close with a stinging free-kick before Laursen's close-range header stole the honours for the hosts with seconds left on the clock.