Indeed, the Blues might well have sneaked a win after surviving a not inconsiderable amount of pressure during the first half.

Elfsborg might have opened the scoring on 8 minutes through Stefan Ishizaki only for Alan Mannus to save well at the back post whilst, a couple of minutes later, team-mate Frederik Berglund finished poorly after being the offside trap.

Samuel Holmén then came close just short of the half-hour mark with a close range header while Berglund and Mathias Svensson threatened towards the end of the half.

Linfield's first effort of note arrived on 52 minutes when Winkie Murphy directed a downward header goalbound from a Damien Curran corner.

Then, five minutes later, Jamie Mulgrew came closest to breaking the deadlock when his header from Aiden O'Kane's cross was saved on the line by keeper Johan Wiland.