Silkeborg IF on Sunday washed away the grim memories of their Danish Cup final defeat against FC Copenhagen on Thursday, when they secured their ticket to the Conference League qualification through a 3-1 win against Randers.
Silkeborg seized the initiative from the start in their determination to restore morale from Thursday's defeat and already after eight minutes of play they were rewarded for their energetic start, when Pelle Mattson launched a stinging drive into the far corner from the edge of the box.
That immediately provided a much-needed boost at one end of the half-empty stadium in Aarhus, where Randers had chosen to play today's game because the club is about to change the turf at their own stadium.
And the red-clad Silkeborg fans then got more to cheer about 20 minutes later, when Callum McCowatt drove the ball forward unmarked by a passive Randers defense and then found the back of the net from an otherwise difficult angle.
Randers woke up at the end of the half and reduced the deficit with a great goal as John Björkengren produced a perfect delivery at the back post for Oliver Olsen, who served the ball on a plate for the on-rushing Elies Mahmoud to make it 2-1.
The second half turned into a very even exchange of blows, with both teams occasionally creating some excellent opportunities even though the quality of football left much to be desired.
Nevertheless, Silkeborg managed to get on the scoreboard after 71 minutes, when Robin Ostrom broke free on the left wing and provided a pin-point delivery for Jeppe Andersen, who without much trouble directed it into the net via the post.
Silkeborg also had a golden chance to score further in overtime, but Tonni Adamsen's penalty rebounded off the post.