Crusaders conceded a goal either side of the break as they slipped to defeat to FC Basel in the Europa Conference League.

The Crues were in Switzerland for the first leg of their second qualifying round tie but acquitted themselves well to keep the fixture alive going into next week's return at Seaview.

The sides traded chances during the opening exchanges with Ben Kennedy seeing an effort saved by Marwin Hitz while Jonny Tuffey kept out an Adam Szalai attempt.

Stephen Baxter's side were handed a boost just after the half-hour mark when Taulant Xhaka was sent-off for a second bookable offence in quick succession.

However, Basel seized the advantage not long after that through Swiss Under-21 international Dan Ndoye with a shot across goal into the net.

Then, three minutes into the second half, Szalai doubled Basel's lead with a close range back heel.

Crusaders had chances to reduce the deficit later in the game with Jonny McMurray twice threatening while Paul Heatley failed to find the target with his effort.

FC Basel: Hitz, Arnau Comas, Szalai, Frei, Pelmard, Sergio López, Burger, Ndoye, Xhaka, Ltaief, Padula subs Salvi, de Mol, Lang, Djiga, Millar (replaced Szalai 67), Amdouni (replaced Ndoye 67), Hunziker, Males (replaced Arnau Comas 76), Tushi (replaced Ltaief 81), Chipperfield

Crusaders: Tuffey, Burns, Hegarty, Lowry, Kennedy, Forsythe, O'Rourke, Winchester, Larmour, Heatley, Clarke subs Pauley (not used), Weir (replaced Winchester 76), Lecky (not used), Ebbe (not used), Patterson (not used), Owens (not used), McKeown (not used), Robinson (not used), McMurray (replaced Clarke 76), Barr (not used), Morrow (not used)