WANDERERS' EUROPEAN adventure came to an end in Lisbon despite a brave performance from Gary Megson's battlers.

A goal five minutes from time by midfielder Bruno Pereirinha put the hosts into the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup after beating Wanderers 2-1 on aggregate.

It was Wanderers' second defeat in 18 European games, but the visitors can take away memories of a great campaign, which saw them obtain tremendous results against such luminaries as Bayern Munich, Red Star Belgrade and Atletico Madrid.

With a hectic schedule of three Barclays Premier League fixtures in the space of seven days looming, manager Gary Megson made six changes to the side that drew 1-1 in the first leg.

Ali Al-Habsi was pressed into action with barely a minute on the clock when he was forced to turn away Simon's free-kick, which was awarded after Abel Ferreria was felled by Andranik just outside the box.

Despite leaving some of their more regular performers back in England, Wanderers looked sharp and Ricardo Vaz Te almost stunned the crowd of 22,301 when he hit the side-netting from an acute angle following Nicky Hunt's excellent pass.

A moment of indecision in the Wanderers defence almost granted the home side a lead when Jlloyd Samuel's sloppy pass put Abdoulaye Meite under pressure. Simon, who netted Sporting's equaliser in the first-leg, stole possession off the big Ivorian but only managed to drill his effort wide.

Danny Guthrie, who tried to be positive in everything he did, then saw his low strike turned away for a corner by Patricio after taking a short corner with Stelios.

Izmaliov spurned a glorious chance to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when he put the ball wide at the far post after Simon flicked on Pereirinha's cross.

Just before the interval Joey O'Brien flung himself in front of Liedson's drive to prevent the midfielder from testing Al-Habsi.

Sporting didn't appear to have the quality befitting a team of its renowned European pedigree. There were many misplaced passes which broke up the speed of the game, which were obviously welcomed by Wanderers.

Wanderers were certainly not outplayed during the opening half and could count themselves most unfortunate not to have lead at the interval.

Andranik became the first Wanderers player to received a yellow card when he was harshly penalised for a foul on Sporting skipper Joao Moutinho just after the restart.

The visitors were restricting the Portuguese outfit into shooting from distance. Al-Habsi easily gathered Bruno Pereirinha's long-range drive.

Grimi was perfectly placed to head away Guthrie's cross for a corner. Vaz Te was lurking at the far post, poised to nod his side in front.

The hosts were looking increasingly dangerous with each attack and Moutinho was unfortunate to see his shot from distance deflect off Samuel for a corner.

Megson made his first change on 71 minutes when he brought on Daniel Braaten for Iranian international Andranik.

Nathan Woolfe made his first team debut for Wanderers five minutes later when he came on for Helguson.

With time running it, it was looking difficult for Wanderers to get the goal they needed to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Al Habsi kept their hopes alive when he made an important save off Brazilian Liedson from close range.

But with five minutes remaining midfielder Pereirinha curled home a beautiful left-footer. It was harsh on Wanderers, who didn't deserve to lose on the evening.

Moutinho almost made it two less than a minute later but for Al-Habsi's stunning acrobatic save.