The New Saints have one foot in the play-off round of the Europa Conference League after a historic win over Viktoria Plzen at the Cardiff City Stadium

New signing Declan McManus was on hand to net a superb hat-trick for the Saints, including a brace of penalties, adding to an early Blaine Hudson header to ensure the hosts will now carry a commanding first leg lead heading into the return leg in the Czech Republic.

Plzen did grab two goals late on, courtesy of strikes from Jean-David Beauguel and Adriel Ba Loua, but TNS held on for what could be a potentially significant result in the club's history - and indeed domestic Welsh football.

Having already recorded impressive wins over Glentoran and FK Kauno Zalgriris, the Cymru Premier League side were more than a match for their guests, who just two years ago were rubbing shoulders with the likes of Real Madrid and Roma in the Champions League group stage.

Hudson's header gave TNS the lead after just 18 minutes, before McManus hammered home from the spot after the half hour mark.

Plzen, who finished fifth in the Czech league last season, were rocking, although Pavel Sulc missed a big opportunity to halve the deficit just before the break.

They were made to pay for their profligacy early in the second half as McManus, who's already been a big hit at Park Hall since his summer move from Dunfermline, netted a second penalty.

TNS were in dream land, and there was still time for McManus to complete his hat-trick - the Scot curling home around 15 minutes from time.

Beauguel pulled one back after tapping in from close range in the dying minutes, before Ba Loua curled in another from the edge of the box in stoppage time.

Even so, TNS will carry plenty of confidence hearing into the second leg next Thursday, with the winners of the tie set to take on either CSKA Sofia or Croatian outfit NK Osijek in the next round.