The Perth side's first European foray for 13 years fell at the first hurdle after a 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park followed a 2-0 defeat in Turkey. But Saints had given their fans genuine hope of an upset for a brief spell after the unmarked Gregory Tade headed home Callum Davidson's cross from close range in the 35th minute. Liam Craig set up Nigel Hasselbaink from 12 yards but goalkeeper Ruud Boffin parried the Dutchman's shot and the Turks soon broke before Veysel Sari converted former Celtic striker Diomansy Kamara's driven cross. Eskisehirspor will now face Marseille in the third qualifying round but Lomas feels encouraged by the experience ahead of their Scottish Premier League campaign. "We looked fitter and were coming on stronger," he said. "Over the two legs we have probably had the better chances. "That's all credit to the lads. It was two deflected goals out there. "That's the small margins in football - when you play against the better teams you have to take your chances. "Effectively once the away goal went in, it was done. "But that will hold us in good stead for the season, two competitive games. "Make no bones about it, they are reputedly a 30million euro budget and they looked very nervous on their bench when Nigel had that chance. "But we let them get the away goal. We always knew that could happen but off our set play, that's the disappointing thing. "But overall (there were) lots of positives."
