Motherwell drew 1-1 with HJK Helsinki in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off tie, leaving the outcome in their own hands ahead of next Thursday's second leg at Fir Park.
Tawanda Maswanhise scored from the penalty spot for the Steelmen, but former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki came off the bench to equalise with a stunning goal for the Finns.
The tie is finely poised, with the winner set to face last season's Europa League finalists Freiburg in the next round.
Selection woes before kick-off
Motherwell had selection issues before the match. Dylan Williams picked up an injury against Hibs, while Ibrahim Said was unable to travel due to a visa issue. This forced coach Alfred Johansson to make two changes from the team that started at Easter Road.
Alex Lowry made his first start, and top scorer Maswanhise also began for the first time under Johansson. The Zimbabwe international is slowly recovering from a broken jaw.
Paulsen keeps Motherwell in it
Motherwell dominated the first 20 minutes but failed to create clear chances. HJK looked dangerous on the break, and only a string of saves from goalkeeper Alex Paulsen kept them at bay.
Pyry Mentu set up Leonel Montana, but Paulsen raced off his line to block. Mentu then set up Santeri Haarala, whose shot from a tight angle was palmed down and gathered. Two minutes before the interval, Mads Borchers was denied by the on-loan Bournemouth shot-stopper coming off his line.
It was clear HJK were a step up from Havnar Boltfelag, the team Motherwell faced in the previous round.
Woodwork woes continue
Motherwell looked a different team after the restart. Alex Lowry had a shot blocked, and Oscar Priestman dragged a shot wide. From a corner, Emmanuel Longelo's cross found Martin Moormann, whose effort came back off the near post.
Longelo then let fly from distance, but his rocket rattled back off the crossbar.
Maswanhise scores from the spot
Motherwell were awarded a penalty after Miska Tlitolva's challenge on Regan Charles-Cook. Referee Dalibor Cerny was sent to the monitor by VAR assistant Tomas Kocourek and pointed to the spot.
Maswanhise, wearing a mask, coolly sent keeper Matej Markovic the wrong way in the 64th minute, sparking wild celebrations from the sold-out away section of more than 550 Motherwell fans.
Pukki rescues HJK
Pukki, who had an infamous two-year spell at Celtic, came on in the 70th minute and within sixty seconds had HJK level. He picked up the ball with his back to goal, beat a couple of defenders, and rifled it high over Paulsen.
HJK pushed for a winner, and Motherwell had to hold on as several key players were replaced. Johansson and his players joined their fans after the game, knowing their European destiny is very much in their own hands.
