Dundee United "need to learn quickly", said manager Jim Goodwin after a nervy victory over UNA Strassen in Conference League qualifying sealed progression in Europe for the first time in 28 years.

A goal up from the first leg, the Tannadice side had to wait until midway through the second half in Luxembourg for Iurie Iovu to nod in and ease any jitters.

United's last triumph over two legs - and last win away - on the continent came when they hammered the Andorran minnows CE Principat 17-0 on aggregate in 1997.

Now they face Rapid Vienna in the third qualifying round next Thursday.

"I didn't realise it was nearly 30 years since the last one away from home in Europe, so it's a great result for this new group of players," said Goodwin.

"We were really untidy again on the ball. I don't know if it's just a case of nervousness or anxiety. Playing on an occasion like tonight is the first time for a lot of our players.

"It's my first time as manager away from home in Europe. So, maybe those different elements have played a part in the overall performance. But, over the two ties, I don't think anybody could argue that we deserve to go through.

"We're not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Neither performance was perfect. We've got a lot to learn and we need to do it quickly."

United, roared on by nearly 1,000 fans, started well and should have taken the lead as early as the third minute but a header from Bert Esselink was high over the bar.

Strassen were playing in only their fourth European match and have yet to score.

But slowly the hosts began to find space and almost caught out the United defence on a couple of occasions, with Daryl Myre failing to take advantage.

United had more chances. Craig Sibbald won the ball in midfield and set up Kristijan Trapanovski down the right and his cross fell perfectly for Zac Sapsford, who fired over from just eight yards with the goal gaping.

The United fans were on their feet again when Ivan Dolcek hooked a volley goalwards, but home keeper Koray Ozcan dived high to push the ball away.

The hosts continued to create chances and Matheus de Souza pulled a shot wide from 16 yards.

However, it was the visitors who would get the solitary goal in the 63rd minute to put the tie to bed. Sapsford's floated free-kick to the back post was met by Moldovan defender Iovu, who steered the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner.

The tension suddenly eased for United, with the large travelling support finally able to enjoy their trip.

They may have started last week's match without a Scot in the team, but Sibbald more than showed this evening he was worthy of his place in the starting XI here in Luxembourg.

He may not be blessed with great pace, but battled for every ball in the middle of the park and was able to snuff out most of the danger from Strassen in that area.

And when winning the ball he was always looking to find a way to create an opportunity for Sapsford in particular upfront.

Dundee United start the Scottish Premiership season away to Falkirk on Sunday (14:00 BST).

They travel to Austria to face Rapid Vienna on Thursday, 7 August. They will then welcome Rapid back to Tannadice the following Thursday.