Malmo FF...0 Cork City...1 (Cork win 4-1 on aggregate): Cork City scored an historic Intertoto Cup first-leg win over Swedish side Malmo and will advance to meet NEC Nijmegin of Holland in the second round next weekend. Liam Kearney was the hero for Cork as he struck for that vital away goal on the hour mark.

Cork played better throughout, setting their stall out early with their attacking and innovative brand of football. They took the game to Malmo and kept them on the back foot from early on.

It was the hard work of the first half that paved the way for Cork as they weathered an early Malmo storm. Cork had a scare as early as the third minute when an Afonso Alves corner caused consternation in the box, but Cork survived and began to settle into their rhythm.

They were helped no end by the seeming telepathic connection John O'Flynn and Neale Fenn were enjoying up front, and with George O'Callaghan and Colin O'Brien providing a solid base in midfield Cork were pretty much in control.

After 11 minutes Fenn flicked an O'Callaghan pass on to his strike partner, but Patrik Anderson responded quickly to snuff out the threat at the expense of a corner. The duo were again in the thick of it five minutes later, this time carving out the opening for O'Callaghan but his shot screamed past the upright.

Malmo's best chance of the half came on 20 minutes. Josef Elanga flashed a cross into the Cork area and the ball flew across an empty goal and was eventually put out for a corner by Danny Murphy.

This was Malmo's best spell of the half as Cork sat back and allowed the Swedes to control the pace of the game.

City eventually upped the ante, and with Kearney getting room to weave his magic the visitors again began to gain the upper hand. The Malmo fans began to grow impatient and boos reverberated around the stadium at half-time.

It was all going according to plan, and with O'Brien impressive in midfield for City it was looking very good for the Irish side. O'Brien was winning tackles, passing and generally dominating the proceedings with his no-nonsense approach and by leading by example. The Cork players responded to his cajoling.

After the interval Cork showed their true colours on the hour mark with a blistering counter-attack. Michael Devine launched a clearance that O'Flynn flicked on brilliantly to Fenn. He found Kearney with a perfect cross and the Conna man blasted the ball into the back of the net with his left foot.

Malmo went close when Daniel Majstorovic headed an Alves corner towards the Cork goal, but Devine saved well.

Malmo almost equalised on 59 minutes, but again Devine somehow saved a Daniel Majstorovic header. In the 85th minute Alves' strike came back off the crossbar.

MALMO FF: Asper, Persson, Majstorovic, Anderson, Olsson, Mattisson, Elanga, Alves, Holiand, Kioog, Lukanovic. Subs: Holgersson for Anderson (half-time); Jonsson and Grahn for Mattisson and Elanga (both 66 mins).

CORK CITY: Devine, Lordan, Murphy, Bennett, Murray, Doyle, O'Callaghan, O'Brien, Kearney, Fenn, O'Flynn. Subs: Woods for O'Flynn (81 mins); Behan for Doyle (90 mins).

Referee: Alexander Gvardis (Russia).