Vaduz 2 - 0 Falkirk: Falkirk�s maiden voyage in European competition proved a short-lived journey after they failed to scale the heights in the Alps last night, falling to defeat in extra time to FC Vaduz.

Falkirk's maiden voyage in European competition proved a short-lived journey after they failed to scale the heights in the Alps last night, falling to defeat in extra time to FC Vaduz.

Left-winger Franz Burgmeier, a constant thorn in Falkirk's side, rifled home a 105th-minute winner to secure a richly deserved triumph in the Europa League second-round qualifier.

Eddie May's new-look team had weathered a storm both on and off the park to reach extra time after Emil Noll's first-half goal had levelled the aggregate score on a miserable evening in Liechtenstein.

Ultimately, the Scottish Cup runners-up offered precious little in attack and their inexperience on the continental stage told as they followed predecessors Gretna, Dunfermline and Queen of the South in falling at the first European hurdle.

Vaduz have a World Cup winner in coach Pierre Littbarski, but losing to the only professional outfit in Liechtenstein is still another low for the Scottish game.

Earlier, the arrival of heavy rain and a blustery wind appeared a good omen for Falkirk at a breathtaking venue. The trim all-seater Rheinpark Stadion lies on the banks of the Rhine beneath a stunning backdrop of the Swiss and Austrian Alps.

A vociferous 1000 Falkirk fans, attending the club's historic first-ever foray into Europe in 133 years, savoured the setting, not put off by beer prices that are a reflection of a low tax haven boasting considerable wealth.

As the rain teamed down, wind blew, thunder cracked and lighting flashed, Vaduz cooked up a formidable storm of their own. Wave after wave of attack left May's fresh-faced outfit struggling to get out of their own half and fail to register a shot on goal.

With Vaduz boasting a physicality and height advantage, May had expected another aerial bombardment but it was mixed with some neat passing play from Littbarski's side. The perennial Liechtenstein Cup winners, relegated from the Swiss Super League last term, fired in shots and crosses from all angles, with dangerous Burgmeier, at Darlington last season, to the fore.

Falkirk survived until the 24th minute before the inevitable breakthrough. From yet another set piece, the Scots failed to clear and centre-half Noll was able to turn Brian McLean and flick past Robert Olejnik's despairing hand.

May, who had opted for a more cautious line-up with first-leg scorer Ryan Flynn replaced by Chris Mitchell, was a picture of dejection in his sodden suit on the touchline. The travelling support, outnumbering the hosts, were silenced.

With Olejnik brilliantly denying strikes from Burgmeier and Damian Bellon towards the break, the half-time whistle was a relief for all of a Scottish persuasion.

Livingston won on away goals against Vaduz in a UEFA Cup qualifier in 2002 and finding the net was clearly the key to Falkirk's progression - if they could string some passes together.

After Olejnik spectacularly parried another stinging Burgmeier drive, Flynn's arrival was devised to try and support Carl Finnigan who looked frustrated in a lone striking role.

But the red tide refused to be tamed and efforts kept coming, even from another centre-back, Marco Steil.

It was 76 minutes before the Bairns registered a first genuine attempt and a chance it was. Burton O'Brien's corner landed at the head of Marc Twaddle who nodded just past.

Sub Dennis Kempe restored a familiar theme when Olejnik thwarted his fierce drive.

As the battering continued, the Bairns bravely stayed resolute, even if Kempe wastefully screwed wide at the end of the 90.

Flynn, set up by Arfield, had a glorious extra-time chance but Peter Jehle made his first save of the contest.

It was to prove pivotal as Burgmerier had the last laugh, bursting forward and lashing in from 18 yards to secure a third-round meeting with Czechs Slovan Liberec.

Falkirk suffered further misery when Finnigan, already booked, was shown a straight red card at the final whistle.