Genk 1 - 0 Cork City: Cork City beaten but in with chance of upset against Genk

Posted Friday, July 29, 2016 by PA

Cork City will fancy their chances of causing a Europa League upset over Genk as they return to home soil with slender 1-0 deficit.

The League of Ireland side put in an impressive third qualifying round first-leg showing against their Belgian Pro League hosts but were undone by Leon Bailey's 31st-minute goal.

However, they will return to Turners Cross next week hoping to overturn their deficit and advance to the play-off stage.

City saw off some early home pressure and could have taken the lead when Steven Beattie's powerful effort was saved by Marco Bizot.

But it was Genk, who finished fourth in the Pro League last season, who opened the scoring on the half-hour when Bailey fired home following good build-up play down the left.

Sean Maguire fired narrowly over, Kevin O'Connor tested Bizot's handling and Beattie had another effort as John Caulfield's men pushed hard to find a leveller and score a crucial away goal.

They could not find it, though, and were indebted to goalkeeper Mark McNulty for keeping the deficit to one as he did well to keep out Ally Samatta's late effort.