Well, that was brief.

A whole season of hard work, tussle and toil was poured down the drain as Southampton were swept out of the Europa League by Midtjylland.

In the MCH Arena — which can hold only 11,800 spectators and would not look out of place in League One — Ronald Koeman’s side could not even muster the single goal they required, at the very least, to see them through this play-off and in to the group stage.

Former Celtic striker Morten Rasmussen scored his side's winning goal to eliminate Southampton

Rasmussen is congratulated by his Midtjylland team-mates after scoring the only goal of the evening

Italy international Graziano Pelle looks dejected during his side's slender defeat by the Danish champions

MATCH FACTS MIDTJYLLAND (4-1-4-1): Dahlin; Neilsen (Romer 83mins), Hansen, Sviatchenko, Lauridsen; Sparv; Royer, Poulsen, Andersson (Pusic 80), Sisto (Hassan 68); Ramussen Subs not used: Olsson, Banggard, Andersen, Onuachu Goal: Ramussen 28 Booked: Poulsen, Sparv SOUTHAMPTON (5-3-2): Stekelenburg 6; Martina 5, Fonte 5, Caulker 5 (Tadic 56, 6), Yoshida 6, Targett 5; Romeu 5, S Davis 6 (Juanmi 82), Ward-Prowse 6; Pelle 6, Rodriguez 5 (Long 76) Subs not used: K Davis, Cedric, Mane, Reed Booked: Rodriguez, Targett Manager: Ronald Koeman 4.5 Referee: Liran Liany (Israel) 7 Attendance: 9,481 Advertisement

The record points tally of last campaign and highest-ever Premier League finish which got them here — Southampton back in Europe for the first time in 11 years — was all, eventually, for four legs of qualification.

Koeman laid into the officials from both matches, blaming a header from Steven Caulker being ruled out for a foul in the first leg and a penalty not being given here when a late free-kick from James Ward-Prowse struck a hand.

‘It’s two mistakes, one penalty and one goal,’ Koeman complained. ‘It had a big influence on the final result. I have to be critical of the referees in both games. We scored a normal goal last week and it was a penalty from James Ward-Prowse. It’s so easy, unless you don’t see it.’

Midtjylland’s opener came against the run of play in the 28th minute. Jay Rodriguez gave the ball away to the Danish side’s captain, Bach Bak, and he passed into Morten Rasmussen who managed to get away from Jose Fonte and bury a shot into the left of goal.

‘We made a mistake for the goal because Jay [Rodriguez] lost possession where he can’t lose it and they were very clinical,’ Koeman added.

They had barely had a sniff up until that point, as Southampton pressed for the goal they needed to wipe out their opponent’s away goal advantage from the first leg 1-1 draw.

Steven Caulker tussles with Midtjylland goalscorer Rasmussen as he attempts to win the ball

Caulker shows his frustration after Rasmussen netted past Southampton custodian Maarten Stekelenburg

Jose Fonte had a header cleared off the line by Jakob Poulsen in only the fourth minute from Ward-Prowse’s corner. Steven Davis should have scored on 22 minutes, Graziano Pelle cushioning the ball to him inside the box and he powered a shot from close range, but Midtjylland goalkeeper Johan Dahlin beat it away.

As the first half drew to a close, Rodriguez angled a header from Cuco Martina’s cross towards the bottom left corner, but Dahlin kept it out at full stretch and held the ball at the second attempt. The second was only two minutes old when the home side almost finished the tie off then and there. Jesper Lauridsen’s free-kick was met by Rasmussen, but his his header was an inch the wrong side of the right post.

Midtjylland frustrated the visitors and did as much as possible to delay play, warranting a first-half booking for time-wasting. It was a feature of their game in the first leg. Midway through the second half, Southampton coach Sammy Lee erupted at the fourth official on the touchline, voicing his displeasure at the tactics.

It was two legs of frustration at failing to beat inferior opposition, which cost them their place in the Europa League.

Southampton midfielder Steven Davis wipes his eye as the rain pours down in Herning

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman looks on as his side crash out of the Europa League

Koeman named a strong side with the likes of Fonte, Caulker and Pelle all starting

Southampton's first-team players make their way off of the pitch after their elimination from Europe