Brann prepared for Thursday’s Europa Conference League third qualifying round first leg away to St Mirren with a 3-2 victory over Stromsgodset.
The victory means the Bergen side sit second in Norway‘s Eliteserien, seven points behind reigning champions Bodo/Glimt.
Head coach Eirik Horneland made two changes from the 2-1 Conference League win over Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles – and both played their part.
Winger Ole Didrik Blomberg was handed a start and his 20th-minute curling cross to the back post was volleyed home by forward Bard Finne before the visitors extended the lead when striker Niklas Castro’s low cross was turned into his own net by defender Gustav Valsvik.
Stromsgodset defender Logi Tomasson fired home to reduce the arrears shortly before the break, but midfielder Sander Kartum rewarded his head coach’s faith in starting him as his low drive squirmed under the home goalkeeper to restore the two-goal lead just after the hour.
Home midfielder Fredrik Ardraa curled in a reply in stoppage time, but it could not prevent Brann heading to Paisley with a first win at Marienlyst Stadion in 10 years and unbeaten in five games since a 5-1 thumping away to the league leaders.
Defender Martin Hellan and forward Magnus Warming were both unused substitutes after dropping to the bench.
Conference League,St Mirren,Ole Didrik Blomberg,Stromsgodset,Go Ahead Eagles,Brann,Eliteserien,Eirik Horneland,Gustav Valsvik,Magnus Warming,Norway
