Ross Forbes continued his impressive Europa League goal-scoring record to give the Well a deserved advantage over the Icelandic league leaders.

Despite slow starts to both halves of the second qualifying round clash, Motherwell dominated against a side sitting top of the Icelandic league following 11 matches.

Forbes missed one of several decent first half opportunities created by the hosts, who survived two scares in the opening moments of the second period.

But the midfielder, who netted three goals in six European games last season, found the net from 20 yards in the 62nd minute.

The victory on a lush new Fir Park surface, which coped well with a second consecutive evening of torrential rain, allayed fears that Motherwell's lack of competitive action would leave them susceptible to an upset.

The visitors struggled at the back at times, although their young forward line showed enough glimpses of ingenuity to suggest they will pose a threat in Iceland next Thursday.

It was veteran coach Crag Brown's first European game at the age of 70.

Bangor claimed an unlikely draw at Finnish side Honka to give them an away-goals advantage for the second leg.

Honka took the lead when Gambian striker Demba Savage finished after a corner on 43 minutes.

But Chris Jones levelled 10 minutes after the second-half restart to make history for Bangor.

In other results for British and Irish teams, Portadown slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Azeri side Garabag Agdam, Cliftonville edged to a 1-0 win over Cibalia of Croatia, Shamrock Rovers drew 1-1 at home with Israelis Bnei Yehoda and Dundalk were spanked 6-0 by Levski Sofia.

Eurosport