FREIBURG 4 MOTHERWELL 1: Brave Steelmen see red again as they go down fighting against Europa League finalists Freiburg

Motherwell were left to rue another costly red card as their European adventure ended with a spirited defeat away to Europa League finalists Freiburg.

A week after Martin Moormann’s sending off paved the way for the Germans to win 3-1 in the first leg of their Conference League play-off, the Fir Park side had Jake Girdwood-Reich dismissed just before the hour mark while the second leg was level at 1-1 at Europa-Park Stadion.

Emmanuel Longelo’s equaliser, following a blunder from home goalkeeper Mio Backhaus, cancelled out an early opener from Derry Scherhant. But Well’s hopes of emerging unscathed from a formidable trip to Germany were dashed by two set-piece goals within minutes of the red card before a late strike from Keisuke Goto sealed a 7-2 aggregate win.

Manager Alfred Johansson was proud of his team’s efforts but admitted the challenge was too demanding as soon as they went a man down.

The Swede said: ‘I think we competed really, really well for 60 minutes and after that obviously it becomes much more difficult once again, and from there it’s about trying to protect as much as you can.

‘Could we have done that a little bit better? Maybe in some decisive actions in our own box but I think the guys they tried everything that they had so all in all it was good for 60 minutes and then it was tough.’

The visitors’ hopes of building their way back into the tie were dealt a blow in the sixth minute when Freiburg extended their aggregate lead as Scherhant ran on to a lovely defence-splitting pass from Maximilian Eggestein and fired past the exposed Alex Paulsen from ten yards out.

Yuito Suzuki then threatened a second for the Germans after Ibrahim Said was dispossessed on the edge of his own box, before Scherhant drilled a tantalising low delivery across the face of goal.

Motherwell’s first chance of the night came in the 17th minute when Jamie Knight-Lebel headed wide after meeting Alex Lowry’s free-kick at the back post.

The 1,400-strong visiting support got the moment they had travelled for in the 22nd minute when Longelo surged forward from his own half and unleashed a low shot from 22 yards out that Backhaus completely fumbled into his net, sparking jubilant scenes in the away end.

Scherhant and Suzuki both threatened as the hosts tried to get themselves back in front, before Well forward Seb Palmer-Houlden saw a low shot pushed away by Backhaus.

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson was proud of his team’s efforts for 60 minutes at least

Suzuki was denied by Paulsen moments before Cyriaque Irie smashed an angled shot off the bar as Freiburg cranked up the pressure before half-time.

Well were generally holding firm in the second half until Girdwood-Reich was shown a straight red for tripping Scherhant as he burst clean through on goal. The free-kick from Scherhant was tipped over by Paulsen and from the resulting corner, Igor Matanovic glanced in from four yards out on the hour.

Three minutes later, Well conceded from another corner, as Irie headed in from six yards out.

Freiburg hit the woodwork twice thereafter as it became a case of damage limitation for the visitors before Goto lashed in the fourth from 12 yards with five minutes remaining.