Glasgow City took a creditable 1-1 draw in their Womens Champions League first leg match against Valur Rekjavik but may rue missed chances with a tough return leg to come in Iceland next week.

The match at Petershill Park was the first in the elite competition to be played in Scotland and City put on an impressive display for a larger than usual crowd.

Lisa Evans had the first clear chance of the match, racing on to a through ball from Christine Murray, but the forward’s shot was hit straight at Valur’s American keeper Meagan McCray.

Valur showed attacking intent in the early exchanges but were not creating chances, while City established themselves as the more dangerous side. They deservedly took the lead in the 17th minute and it was Evans who made the breakthrough, latching onto a Clare Gemmel pass before firing home.

City were on top and carved out several chances but could not make their dominance count. Leanne Ross, Emma Fernon and Evans all had opportunities but the home side could not add to their lead.

Evans had the ball in the net on but her celebrations were cut short when she was adjudged to have pushed her marker before getting her shot away.

Valur showed their ability in flashes but were second best in the first half, yet came close to levelling the score just before the break. A free kick just over 30 yards from goal gave Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir a chance to shoot and her shot cannoned off the crossbar.

In the second half, Valur slowly came back into the game and City found it harder to work the ball to their front three. In the 59th minute, the Icelandic side pressed forward and when City keeper Claire Johnstone picked up a loose ball, the assistant referee ruled that she had handled a passback, despite the ball having appeared to take a deflection off a Valur player.

Valur’s players piled forward for the set piece and City failed to pick up Mist Edvardsdottir at the edge of the box. The ball was passed back for her to thump in a fierce shot and Laufey Olafsdottir was on hand to direct the ball past Johnstone.

Thereafter, a tense battle developed with neither side enjoying the space they had previously and there was no further score, setting up an all or nothing match in Iceland next week.