Dundalk midfielder John Mountney says they believe they can still reach the Europa league knockout stages despite last night’s 1-0 defeat to Alkmaar in Tallaght.

The loss means only a win or a score draw will do in their next game providing Alkmaar lose to Zenit.

Dundalk's hopes of reaching the next round of the Europa League are alive - just! https://t.co/FI0UgtwGzv pic.twitter.com/WI5LMtaXg9

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 24, 2016

Mountney says they are focused for the match away to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel in two weeks.

“Stephen (Kenny) has our minds set to be always positive,” he said. “We know we need to win.

“Please God, Zenit can do us a favour and win and hopefully it will go our way.

“If someone told you during the year, you’d be in the group stages of the Europa League and going into the final game with a chance of qualifying you’d snap their hand off. We’re still in a strong position.”