Odense 3 Shelbourne 0: Jason Byrne failed to give Shelbourne a lifeline, instead leaving the Dubliners a daunting task after they were comprehensively beaten by Odense in the first leg of their second-round Intertoto Cup clash.
Byrne squandered the chance to claim a vital away goal when he missed a penalty and was booked after his attempt to convert the rebound saw him foul the goalkeeper. His yellow card will rule him out of next week's return leg.
Joseph Ndo was influential in the middle but the Dublin club failed to take advantage of their chances at Fionia Park.
In contrast the Danish side, managed by former Arsenal and Bolton boss Bruce Rioch, were clinical with Morten Fevang claiming a hat-trick.
Shelbourne qualified for the second round with a 5-0 aggregate win over Lithuanians FK Vetra but they face a stiff challenge if they are to overturn the deficit at Tolka Park next Sunday.
• In the eircom League Premier Division, Drogheda United reclaimed second spot from Shelbourne after a 1-0 victory against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Paul Keegan fired home the all-important goal with six minutes remaining against a home side who had Wesley Charles dismissed three minutes later.
The victory came at a price, however, as Drogheda striker Declan O'Brien will be sidelined for a lengthy period after sustaining a suspected broken jaw in a collision with Bray goalkeeper Chris O'Connor.
