IN Europe it doesn't matter the name of the competition, only that you learn lessons from every outing you make.

So for Motherwell the ability to absorb and utilise the experiences of their Champions League third round qualfier defeat against Panathinaikos against La Liga side Levante in this Europa League final qualifier, was pivotal.

A damaging combination of an early defensive error gift-wrapping the opening goal and then the passing up of at least four decent chances in the first leg at Fir Park, tilted the balance of the tie away from Well before they had even trodden the turf at the Olympic Stadium in Athens in the return.

Now they faced with a Levante side whose credentials from last season included a home win over Real Madrid and a spell on the summit of Europe's finest football league, which ultimately saw them finish sixth.

Thus, the quality of the opposition could be said to have been superior to the Greeks even if the competition that pitched the two sides against each other wasn't.

Sadly, though, it was a sense of deja vu that was to be the prevailing emotion after the Fir Park men once again found themselves decisively beaten on home soil 2-0 as memories of the recent Greek tragedy were rekindled.

Yet, with the Lanarkshire side compact in defence and efficient in possession, the first 20 minutes were negotiated with Darren Randolph forced to make only routine saves from Vicente Iborra's 20-yard drive and a Michel strike from the edge of the box.

While the new Well central midfield axis of skipper Keith Lasley and Nicky Law retained and spread the ball with equal aplomb, it was a shame indeed Motherwell could not have come to a short-term agreement with icon James McFadden over a deal that would have allowed the exEverton player to showcase his talents against the Spanish stars.

Faddy's individualistic talent would surely have alarmed Levante's veteran captain Sergio Ballasteros.

While Well were keen it is hard to understand just what McFadden's reasoning is in failing to agree to tread the boards last night.

But with half-time beckoning and the home side looking comfortable, disaster struck.

With the Well defence frozen as they appealed for offside against Levante's veteran Greek striker Theofanis Gekas, the flag remained stuck to the linesman's body and Gomez Juanlu slotted a speculative delivery from Christian Lell beyond Randolph from 14 yards.

The timing could hardly have been worse as the balance of power shifted in favour of the men from Valencia.

The big challenge facing Motherwell in the second-half was to bring their own goal threat into play with Jamie Murphy and Henrik Ojamaa anonymous and Chris Humphrey wayward.

Yet as the Steelmen tried to force the issue Levante became more dangerous. On the counter, with their superior weight and accuracy of pass stretching the Well rearguard, Juanlu slipped Gekas through only for a superb dive by Randolph denying the visitors.

Yet Well remained determined and only a last-gasp block denied Ojamaa from eight yards as play raged from one end to the other.

With 62 minutes gone next Thursday's return leg at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia was rendered virtually Mission Impossible when Lell skinned Stevie Hammell and squared for one-time Liverpool player Nabil El Zhar to smash home a rising drive from 12 yards out with Randolph beaten.

Well's woes were compounded when Shaun Hutchinson was dismissed for a last-man challenge on Gekas in 78 minutes which will sideline him for the trip to Spain.

While the glamour of big European nights may provide an adrenaline ride, the nosebleed that has accompanied it can not be allowed to undermine the Lanarkshire side's domestic campaign. The challenge to make sure that is not the case is, at this embryonic stage in the season, is now the one that is Well gaffer Stuart McCall's priority.

Motherwell: Randolph, Hammell, Law (Carswell, 85) Hutchinson, Hateley, Humphrey (Kerr, 69), Ojamaa (McHugh, 68), Higdon, Murphy, Lasley, Cummins.

Levante: Navas, Navarro, Barkero, Iborra, Karabelas (El Zhar, 41), Gekas, Ballasteros, Lopez, Juanlu (Oscar Serrano, 76), Michel (Pallardo, 66), Lell.

Attendance: 6826