Linfield manager David Healy believes that extra-time was “the least we deserved” as his team faced a heartbreaking exit from the UEFA Conference League qualifying round against Nomme Kalju.

The second leg at Windsor Park appeared set for an additional period when Linfield, reduced to 10 men after Ethan McGee’s red card in the first half, led 2-1, leveling the tie overall.

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However, a remarkable injury-time strike by Mihhail Orlov equalized at 2-2 for the night and secured a 3-2 aggregate victory for the Estonians.

“I always feel it’s a missed opportunity when we don’t win here – that’s the belief I have in the squad of players,” Healy told BBC Sport NI.

“European games are as challenging as they can be, but you can’t legislate for going down to 10 men.

“Credit to the players in the second half: they gave it a right rattle, and one or two more decisive moments in the final third, and we could have got a third.

“It [extra-time] was the least we deserved tonight, but you don’t always get out of a game what you feel you want or need.”

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McGee scored early to equalize but was then sent off for a handball in the area, leading to a penalty. Oleksandr Musolitin initially had his shot saved by Chris Johns, but he converted the rebound.

Kieran Offord restored parity early in the second half, but Orlov’s goal settled the match in normal time.

“I thought we started the game well, got the goal we needed, but basically, we self-destructed a bit before half-time with the red card and the penalty,” Healy remarked.

“[It’s] disappointing that we didn’t clear the first ball in the last minute and got punished.”

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Linfield will now turn their focus to preparations for the domestic season in August, but Healy acknowledges that it’s “probably unlikely” there will be several new signings.

“In terms of finance, we may have one or two out on loan, or one or two out completely, and then we’ll look at the finance and see what’s available.”