Apoel Nicosia...2 Derry City...1: Manager Dermot Keely described last night's display by Derry City in Cyprus as being as good as any he has witnessed from a League of Ireland club he has been involved with in European competition.

The Northern side kept this UEFA Cup qualifying round, first leg tie very much alive, despite losing 2-1 to full-timers Apoel in |Nicosia.

A brilliantly worked score , just before half time, by Gary Beckett, means Derry have a vital away goal in the bank ahead of the second leg at the Brandywell in a fortnight's time.

The Cypriots took the lead after 21 minutes when the Pole, Kowalczyk, caught Derry napping at a free kick to fire a dipping volley over Neil Bennett from wide out he left.

Derry rued their luck as Apoel then tried to double their advantage, with Eddie McCallion , one of City's stars on the night, making two last-ditch challenges and new goalkeeper Neil Bennett beating out a stinging finish from Charalaubides.

But Derry rocked the attack-conscious Cypriots right on the stroke of half time - Liam Coyle sent McCallion racing down the right and when the low cross came in, Beckett lashed the ball right-footed into the Apoel net.

It was Derry's first goal away from home in European competition since the mid-1960s, when they lost 5-3 in Oslo to FK Lyn.

Apoel regained the lead 10 minutes into the second period when Okkarides headed home.

But Derry showing huge determination and good organisation in the oppressive heat and were unyielding thereafter.

Apoel did hit the bar as they chased the vital third goal, but the visitors held out for a thoroughly deserved result.

Irish League part-timers Coleraine shocked Portuguese cup finalists UD Leiriain 2-1 at home in their UEFA Cup qualifier at the Showgrounds.

First-half goals from defender Paul Gaston and Rory Hamill secured a first leg victory, with Joao Manuel replying for the visitors.

Coleraine snatched the lead after nine minutes. Stephen Beatty's corner from the right fell kindly for Gaston and while 'keeper Helton stayed on his line the defender bundled the ball home from close range.

It took an error in the home defence to enable Leiria to level. Edson's corner from the right was mishit by midfielder Ian McCoosh to present Joao Manuel with a golden opportunity and he cracked a shot past O'Hare from 10 yards.

Coleraine restored their advantage in injury-time. Tony Gorman's free-kick on the left was rolled short to Stephen Beatty and he found Hamill who powered a header past Helton from six yards.

Fellow Irish League side Portadown's hopes of progressing in the competition were all but dashed, however, after they lost 4-0 to Malmo in Sweden

APOEL: Morfis; Charalambous, Amanatides, Okkadides, Kowalczyk, Malekos, Satsias, Daskalakis, Charalaubides, Papandreou, Michael. Subs: Elia for Charalambous (19 mins), Vakouftsis for Papandreou (69 mins), Music for Malekos (90 mins).

DERRY CITY: Bennett; McCallion, Hargan, Hutton, McLaughlin, Doherty, Holt, Martyn, Beckett, Coyle, McCrystal. Subs: Deery for Holt (half time); McGlynn for Coyle (70 mins), Moran for Beckett (90 mins).

Referee: Oleh Oriekhov (Ukraine)