St Patrick's Athletic boss Harry Kenny believes his side were denied a blatant penalty and is disappointed that they couldn't hang on to a 1-0 deficit to take to Norrkoping next week.
Pat's had a big shout for a 14th minute spot-kick when Gary Shaw went down under a challenge by visiting skipper Alexander Fransson.
But it wasn't awarded, and defensive mistakes in the second half cost the hosts dearly in Inchicore .
"Definitely it was a penalty," said Kenny.
"I think yer man mis-read the ball, Shawsy got in behind him and it was definitely a nudge in the back.
"I can't believe he didn't give it, would have given everyone a lift but that's football."
A misplaced Ciaran Kelly pass led to Norrkoping's opening goal in the 55th minute before Lee Desmond's 85th minute own goal gave the visitors a two-goal lead ahead of next Thursday's second leg.
"I'm a bit disappointed that we handed them the game a bit, we were trying to score a goal and left ourselves open at the end," he said.
"I'm delighted with the lads' performance and effort, they're a a really good side, but that's the story of our season, to be honest.
"You can't give the ball away to a team of that calibre for the first goal, and then the second goal was an own goal.
"That was a bit disappointing because I was even hoping towards the end that we might have gone over there with a 1-0 defeat which gives you a reasonable chance over there."
But Kenny isn't ruling out a shock Saints victory in Sweden.
"We'll try to sneak a goal and if you can get something, fantastic, but you can't throw caution to the wind in the first half over there, they're a team full of internationals," he reasoned.
"Their keeper made good saves from Bermo (Ian Bermingham) and Mickey (Drennan), but I was delighted that we created chances against a team of that calibre.
"I didn't think 2-0 was a fair result, especially if we got the penalty - we were doing reasonably well at that stage and it would have given us something to hold on to".
