St Johnstone exorcised the ghost of Minsk by shooting themselves into the third qualifying round of the Europa League with a dramatic penalty shootout win.
Just as there had been misery as the Belarusians knocked them out last season from the spot, so there was absolute joy as five perfect pens earned victory over Swiss side Luzern watched by a crowd of just under 9,000.
Saints had taken the lead on 22 minutes when Stevie May converted a penalty won by Gary Miller, but Luzern levelled through sub Marco Schneuwly just before the hour.
That levelled things after last week’s 1-1 draw in Switzerland, and so the game went into extra-time.
Home sub Liam Caddis almost won the game in the final seconds of extra-time he rattled the post with his shot but it was on to spot kicks.
Home keeper Alan Mannus dived brilliantly to his right to push away Luzern’s second penalty, and both sides then kept finding the net until Tam Scobbie stepped upto be the hero as he blasted the ball past Luzern keeper David Zibung to clinch a 5-4 shoot-out victory.
Saints’ prize is a third qualifying round tie against Slovakian side Spartak Trnava, who saw off Georgian side Zestafoni to qualify for the next stage earlier in the evening.
For full match coverage and reaction, see Friday’s Courier.