Vitesse escaped a tricky away tie in Romanian after a poor start saw them two goals down just after half time.

Some poor defending helped Viitorul striker Denis Dragus pick up a goal either side of half time.

But Vitesse finally came into the game and scored two headers of their own to keep their Europa Leaue dreams alive.

Rasmus Thelander and Chelsea loanee’s Eduardo and Jake Clarke-Salter were handed competitive debuts, whilst Matus Bero was left on the bench after his £1.5 million transfer from Trabzonspor.

The game started quietly, with Vitesse struggling to find their way into the game for the first 20 minutes.

Their first chance fell to Tim Matavz, a good cross picked the forward out in the box but he could only pull off a tame volley into the keepers hands.

But it was Viitorul who kept would create the better chances, with Ianis Hagi firing just wide not long.

The hosts gained the lead just before the break, some sloppy defending saw Dragus find acres of empty space as he coolly nodded home Tudor Baluta’s cross.

Alexander Buttner almost responded instantly with a powerful free kick, but the Viitorul goalkeeper managed to get a strong hand to it to keep his sides lead at half time.

Vitesse’s poor defending carried on into the early stages of the second half, with Dragus getting his second of the game.

The defence were caught sleeping once again as the 19-year-old headed a second with very little opposition.

The Arnhem side finally kicked into gear after this with Matavz equalising just five minutes later.

Buttner drilled a superb ball into the box which Matavz powered into the back of the net.

Viitorul continued to dominate the tie, consistently testing Eduardo, but not having any real clear cut chances.

Vitesse made them pay for not making this dominance count as Brian Linssen headed in a superb equaliser.

The winger made a superb run from the back post and forced himself through the Viitorul defence to make sure he met the ball to give his side a vital second away goal.

The drama continued as Viitorul substitute Andrei Artean was sent off for a strong tackle.

Buttner almost found a winner after a great ball from Beerens found him on the edge of the six yard box, but the left back could only turn the effort over the bar.

Vitesse will certainly need to defend a lot better if they are to see Viitorul off in the second leg, but they have certainly given themselves a strong chance of progression after a terrible start.