UEFA Conference League LIVE: Crystal Palace held 2-2 and miss out on top eight spot, Aberdeen finish second bottom, Shamrock win and Shelbourne draw

Crystal Palace were denied a place in the UEFA Conference League last 16 after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Finnish side KuPS on Thursday night.

Oliver Glasner made 11 changes to his starting line-up and gave academy graduates their first taste on the European stage.

The hosts looked on course for a top eight qualification spot when Christantus Uche curled home a fifth minute opener.

However, Palace’s defence shook in the second half when Piotr Parzyszek equalised and three minutes later Ibrahim Cisse gave the visitors an unlikely lead.

Glasner’s side were aided in their response by Clinton Antwi receiving a 73rd minute red card and Justin Devenny headed home an equaliser three minutes later.

Despite Palace throwing on their benched stars KuPS held on as both sides will compete in play-offs for a spot in the last 16.

Elsewhere, AEK Athens came from two goals down to rescue a top-eight spot by beating Univ. Craiova 3-2.

Dereck Kutesa equalised in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time only for Luka Jovic to net a penalty after 15 minutes of stoppage time to secure the win.

Elsewhere, Strasbourg topped the qualification group after beating Breidablik 3-1.

It was a good night for the Irish sides as Shamrock Rovers beat Hamrun 3-1 and Shelbourne held Celje to a goalless draw. However, Aberdeen finished second from bottom after a 3-0 defeat to Sparta Prague.

Joel Ward told TNT Sports: "Regardless of the two extra games they now have to face [in the play-offs], I think [Glasner] will be proud of the group tonight.

"First and foremost, the lads making their debuts, and proud of how they're managing the work load, the professionalism and how they went about their jobs tonight."

Joleon Lescott told TNT Sports: "I think it's positive overall for Palace. When they analyse the game they will look back at what they have achieved as a whole. They are still in the competition and have opportunities to progress.

Glasner will have learned that he can trust these players now. They've got Macclesfield away in the FA Cup, the play-offs in this competition, maybe they can play in those games and give some of the experienced players a rest? He learned more about personalities rather than just performances tonight."

We have full-time in all our 18 matches as AEK Athens’ dramatic fightback was the last full-time whistle to go.

90+13' AEK Athens have left it late to complete a dramatic turnaround in Athens. Kutesa equalised in the 98th minute before in the 15th minute of injury time Jovic netted the winner from the penalty spot.

Univ Craiova cruelly miss out on a play-off spot with that goal.

Following Crystal Palace’s draw Joel Ward told TNT Sports: "There were a lot of positives throughout the game but it's disappointing not to go through [automatically] in that top eight. There was an element of risk in the line-up he chose, but there would also have been risk had [Oliver Glasner] chose to play a full-strength side with the amount of games coming up and the number of injuries they have. It was a great opportunity for the young lads to make their debuts and I think they can hold their heads high with the performances they put in."

That’s full-time as Crystal Palace will need to a play-off if they are to progress into the Conference League last 16. KuPS will also be in the play-offs after holding on for a valuable 2-2 draw.

The Irish side have picked up their second draw of the group stages. It’s a valuable one for the Irish side as each group stage point is valuable in prize money.

The Irish side drew 0-0 at Celje resulting in Aberdeen finishing bottom.

90+1' It’s a huge five minutes for Palace to find a goal and avoid a play-off. However, KuPS goalkeeper Kreidl is frustrating the home fans as he clutches a corner.

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82' A goal in each half for Widmer and Amiri has put Mainz into a 2-0 lead against top eight rivals Samsunspor which looks to have booked their spot in the last 16. Withstanding a late fightback Samsunspor look to be heading towards a play-off.

Lucy Ward said the Palace’s equaliser was about ‘sheer determination’ She told TNT Sports: "It was there to be won, wasn't it? Devenny, you can see him loitering. It's good play, what a ball it was from Mitchell. That is just sheer determination from Devenny. That' s exactly the response to the red card that Palace needed."

76' It’s game on at Selhurst Park.

Mitchell picks out the run of Devenny inside the box whose bullet header gave the goalkeeper no chance. Palace need to win to move into the top eight.

75' Antwi won the ball for the Finnish side before following through with his leg high on Hughes. The referee is in no doubt and the red card is straight out.

72' It has been a disastrous night for AEK Athens who started the day inside the top eight.

However, a goal in each half by Baiaram and Cicaldau put Univ. Craiova 2-0 ahead. Vida has pulled a goal back for the Greek hosts who require one more to stand any chance of a top eight spot.

66' A defensive nightmare for Aberdeen. The Scottish side try playing it out from the back. However, the hosts intercept and plat the ball across to substitute Kuol who rifles the ball home from close range.

Lucy Ward told TNT Sports: "It’s a worry though for Palace. They've been cutting through the Palace defence far too easily. Not stopping the ball, not closing down the cross."

61' Parzyszek nets from inside the box but the off-side flag was straight up. It was very close as Pennanen knocked the ball on to his team-mate inside the box from an off-side position. Palace are off the hook as it could have easily been 3-1.

54' The Finnish side have the lead. A corner is punched clear by goalkeeper Benitez. Antwi’s effort from outside the box is deflected goalwards by Cisse.

50' The young Palace defence a cut open by their visitors. A somewhat untidy ball across the box funds Parzyszek who scores from close range.

The goal drops Palace outside of the top eight and towards a possible two-leg play-off