Killie will drop into the race for the Europa Conference League group stages after their close call tonight.
Bruges was awash in blue and white as 2500 Kilmarnock flocked to the city - but there was no European triumph for the Ayrshire men as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Cercle Brugge - going down 2-1 on aggregate - in their Europa League second qualifying round tie.
That was as good as it got, though, as despite all their huffing and puffing the visitors just weren't able to find a breakthrough. Defeat means they'll move down to the Europa Conference League and face Norwegian side Tromso in the third qualifying round - with the home leg at Rugby Park next Thursday.
The home side were knocking the ball about freely and impressively but Killie withstood all that came their way. Hannes van der Bruggen was forced to try his luck from distance but fired over after nine minutes while Kevin Denkey almost produced a moment of magic when he spotted McCrorie off his line and attempted an audacious lob from 35 yards.
Killie were forced into a change at half-time with Joe Wright, who had been in the wars during the first 45 minutes, being replaced by Matty Kennedy. That saw Brad Lyons move to full-back with Mayo going inside and partnering Stuart Findlay in the heart of the defence.
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