The European dream is over for Caley Thistle, but the Highlanders were by no means exposed as newcomers to continental football, following a brave display.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in a tight game at Marin Anastasovici, meaning FC Astra’s 1-0 win at Caledonian Stadium last week proved decisive.
Inverness had the edge in the first-half, with Aaron Doran and Ryan Christie both coming close, however they were unable to carry their momentum into the second-half, as Astra did just enough to see out the match.
Astra’s preparations were hindered by a crushing 5-1 Romanian Liga I defeat against Targu Mures, however Constantin Budescu’s free-kick in last week’s match at Caledonian Stadium gave them a valuable 1-0 lead, and potentially crucial away goal that made them firm favourites ahead of the second leg.
Inverness had other ideas however, backed by an impressive 500-strong crowd who had made the journey to Romania, full of hope their side could mark their first European trip with a victory – something they needed to do in order to extend their maiden Europa League campaign.
There was just one change to the Inverness side defeated last week. David Raven came in at left back, replacing Ross Draper, whose holding midfield position was occupied by defender Danny Williams.
Astra were the first team to threaten, with Constantin Budescu’s corner glanced over at the near post by Fernando Boldrin. Just moments after his early chance, Boldrin was involved in a confrontation with Dani Lopez, however Kazakh referee Artyom Kuchin wisely diffused the situation.
Midfielder Greg Tansey blasted the resulting free-kick way over the bar, with Raven blasting harmlessly over from similar range a few minutes later, shooting that would need to be vastly improved upon if Inverness were to progress.
Hughes had set up to threaten on the counter attack, but with little threat from the hosts forthcoming, Caley Jags grew into the match and enjoyed more possession as the first-half wore on, however they struggled to find openings for Lopez in the final third.
Despite the Highlanders’ backline having been largely untroubled in the opening half an hour, it took a superbly-timed sliding tackle from Gary Warren to combat a promising surge into the penalty box by Astra’s Filipe Teixeira.
Inverness got in behind their opponents for the first time on 38 minutes when Raven slipped the ball through to Aaron Doran down the inside left channel, however his cross was cut out by goalkeeper Silviu Lung before it could reach Lopez.
Caley Thistle incurred the wrath of the home supporters as the first-half drew to a close, after failing to give Astra the ball back when the Romanians had put the ball out of play as Ryan Christie lay down injured, with Gary Warren tussling with Astra forward Gabriel Enache.
Inverness had Astra firmly on the backfoot by the latter stages of the first-half, creating two excellent opportunities to take the lead. The first came when Josh Meekings’ long throw-in was flicked on by Christie, with Doran sending a downward header straight at Lung from six yards.
Moments later, Tansey and Christie exchanged passes on the edge of the box, with Christie letting fly with a rasping 18-yard strike that was destined for the roof of the net until Lung got a crucial touch to send it over.
Caley Thistle had ended the first-half by far the stronger, in the main keeping Romanian threat limited. Evidence of that was the fact 51 minutes had elapsed by the time Inverness goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams made his first save, diving low to clutch a tame Budescu strike from 20 yards.
Budesca offered a far greater test of Fon Williams’ reflexes just four minutes later, with the Welsh goalkeeper stretching across his goal to parry away.
As the second-half advanced, the game became littered with instances of time-wasting from the hosts, as was the case in the first leg.
Doran’s snapshot was gratefully held by Lung, as Inverness continued their search for an equaliser, while at the other end William Amorim’s sizzling shot went just wide.
Hughes shook his side up, bringing on captain Richie Foran in place of Danny Williams and introducing Draper for Nat Wedderburn, as Hughes recognised it was last chance saloon.
Inverness survived a late let off, when Budescu was played in clean through on goal but shot straight at Fon Williams, however the brave Caley Jags just ran out of steam as the curtain fell on their first European campaign.