Motherwell saw their Europa League dreams dashed on Thursday as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Odense.
Brown's men crash out on a frustrating night at Fir Park
Motherwell saw their Europa League dreams dashed on Thursday as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Odense at Fir Park.
Having lost the first leg of the play-off encounter 2-1 in Denmark, Well knew nothing less than a win would be enough.
They were unable to pull it off, despite a battling display, and a solitary strike from Paul Utaka proved to be enough to settle the tie.
Odense did have two men sent off late on, and Jamie Murphy spurned a spot-kick for Well, but the visitors held on to book their place in the group stages.
Motherwell had gone into the game full of optimism after looking at least the equal of the Danes in last week's defeat, although they needed Tom Hateley's spectacular injury-time free-kick to give them and the vast majority of 9,105 fans true hope.
Nick Blackman retained his place after marking his first start with the only goal at Kilmarnock on Sunday. The on-loan Blackburn player replaced the suspended Steve Jennings in the only change to Motherwell's first-leg team.
Well's attacking line-up showed no nerves at the start of the biggest game at Fir Park for decades and Mohamed Traore survived handball claims in the opening minute.
Keith Lasley's shot was blocked, John Sutton's clever run ended with a shot into the side-netting, then Humphrey sliced wide from eight yards following Stevie Hammell's cross.
Hateley was given another chance to shoot from just outside the box after Blackman won a foul, but the midfielder's low drive was well held by Roy Carroll.
Dangerous
Odense were not sitting back, though, and the return to fitness of Henrik Toft, whose burly physique and face mask gave him more the look of a wrestler than a footballer, allowed them to get the ball forward quickly.
The Danes looked dangerous on the break but vulnerable at the back and Espen Ruud and Anders Moller Christensen were booked after illegally trying to atone for some shaky defending.
Motherwell got in behind the Danes again when Lasley's long ball sent Murphy into the left channel but he lobbed the ball just beyond the far post after Carroll had raced off his line.
Brown's side soon paid for their wastefulness. Ruud's inswinging corner was aimed towards Toft on the goalline, his physical presence prevented Well clearing properly and Utaka drove home from eight yards.
Instead of needing one goal to progress, Motherwell now needed two to force extra-time.
Hateley volleyed over from distance, Ruud looped a header on top of his goalkeeper's net and Blackman headed Lasley's cross over.
Several stoppages spoiled Motherwell's momentum but Carroll reacted well to hold Sutton's header following Murphy's cross.
The second half continued in the same manner with the hosts putting Odense under pressure but needing to be wary of counter-attacks.
Greek referee Michail Koukoulakis waved away penalty appeals when Sutton appeared to be held by a struggling Atle Roar Haland, who soon trudged off injured.
Squandered
Carroll punched away Hateley's dangerous free-kick and the former Manchester United goalkeeper held Blackman's 20-yard drive.
Motherwell appeared to be in danger of losing their attacking drive but they squandered another glorious chance in the 70th minute.
Sutton headed Stephen Craigan's long throw straight to the unmarked Blackman but he headed weakly at Carroll from six yards.
Humphrey's cutback soon found Sutton 10 yards out but he could not position himself to shoot before being surrounded by defenders and his stabbed effort was blocked by Carroll.
Motherwell were handed a lifeline in the 76th minute when Ruud received a second yellow card for a needless foul on Blackman.
The chances continued to come - Murphy failed to connect with Sutton's inviting cross and Motherwell appealed strongly for a penalty as Chris Sorensen appeared to clear Hammell's cross with the aid of an arm.
Darren Randolph made his first save of the night in the 84th minute when he stopped Eric Djemba-Djemba's long-range strike and Motherwell's chances appeared to be vanishing.
But they were finally awarded a penalty a minute later when Christensen handled Hateley's cross as he challenged Sutton, the foul earning another yellow card.
Motherwell's failing over the two legs continued to haunt them though as Murphy, their leading European goalscorer, struck the post from the spot.
