Joseph Mbong was the hero for Hamrun Spartans as they came back from a goal down to beat Dinamo Tbilisi 2-1 in the first leg from the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

The two teams will be meeting again on Thursday August 3 in Tbilisi with a clash with Ferencvaros or Shamrock Rovers awaiting the team which qualifies.

Following a goalless first half, the visitors managed to take the lead on the hour when Zoran Marusic beat goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with a diagonal shot from the left.

Ten minutes later, Dinamo Tbilisi almost doubled the score but Marusic’s effort hit the foot of the upright.

Hamrun levelled matters ten minutes later when Ognjen Bjelicic’s freekick was partially saved by goalkeeper Loria and off the rebound, Joseph Mbong headed home.

Eight minutes in added time, Hamrun notched the winner when Joseph Mbong beat the Dinamo Tbilisi goalkeeper with a first time effort following a cross from the left by Ryan Camenzuli.

HAMRUN Federico Marchetti, Steve Borg, Joseph Mbong, Roko Prsa, Elionay (77’ Jonny), Uros Djuranovic (77’ Luke Montebello), Ognjen Bjelicic, Seth Paintsil, Nemanja Krstic (46’ Eder), Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli.

D. TBILISI Giorgi Loria, Aleksandre Kalandadze, Saba Khvadagiani, Anzor Mekvabishvili, David Skhirtladze (54’ Zoran Marusic), Imrane Oulad Omar (69’ Gagi Margvelashvili), Giorgi Kharaishvili, Jemal Tabidze (69’ Nikoloz Mali), Barnes Osei (87’ Giorgi Moistsrapishvili), Ousmane Camara, Giorgi Maisuradze (69’ Levan Osikmashvili).

Referee: Miloš Gigovic BIH
Assistant referees: Damir Lazić, Amer Macić BIH
Fourth official: Antoni Bandić BIH