Cliftonville earned a scoreless draw away to Barry Town United in the first leg of their Europa League Preliminary Round tie in Cardiff.

The result puts Paddy McLaughlin's side in a strong position going into the return next Thursday evening (4th July) at Solitude, although there was some regret that the Reds didn't manage to secure what could be a crucially important away goal.

Rory Donnelly went closest during the first half with a header which he could only direct just inches over from a Garry Breen cross, while Chris Curran saw a first time strike blocked by keeper Mike Lewis.

After the break Conor McMenamin turned an effort into the side netting before curling another past the upright with Lewis beaten followed by Donnelly skimming an upright.

Barry had opportunities, too, with Jonathan Hood testing Richard Brush with a dipping volley while, midway through the second half, skipper Jordan Cotterill fired over from Drew Fahiya's pass.

Barry Town United: Lewis, Cummings, Press, Cooper, Hugh, Green, Cotterill, Patten, Compton, McLaggon, Hood subs Ratcliffe (not used), Morgan (not used), Watkins (not used), Greening (replaced Patten 72), Fahyia (replaced Compton 72), Snaith (not used), Fry (replaced Cotterill 82)

Cliftonville: Brush, McDermott, Ives, Breen, C. Curran, A. Harkin, R. Donnelly, Bagnall, Doherty, McMenamin, Gorman subs Dunne (not used), Harney (not used), R. Curran (replaced McMenamin 83), Foster (not used), Wilson (not used), Gormley (replaced Doherty 79), Maguire (replaced McDermott 90+6)