United went out despite a 3-2 victory and after turning the tie on its head with two goals in the first five minutes from Keith Watson and David Goodwillie.

After Rok Elsner headed home for the Poles, Jon Daly again put United ahead on aggregate with a penalty a minute before the break.

But Sebastian Dudek struck a brilliant effort into the top corner from 30 yards in the 74th minute to level the aggregate scores and send the visitors through in front of 2,000 Polish fans in a crowd of 11,306.

Houston said: "I'm absolutely gutted. It was a magnificent Dundee United performance from a very young side.

"We asked the fans to be patient but we came out on fire and got two goals very early.

"The Tannadice crowd were magnificent, as were the Polish fans, it was a fantastic atmosphere and a magnificent game.

"We lost a goal from a set play, we should have defended it properly, it's something we're normally good at.

"So we gave a goal away but we got back in front and Jon Daly had a header across the line just after that.

"For us to score three goals in the first half of a European tie against a very good Polish side, I've nothing but credit.

"Dusan (Pernis) has not had a lot of saves to make in the second half and the guy shoots from 30 yards. The only place you don't want it to go is the top corner and that's where it went, so good luck to them.

"They were pressing but I felt very comfortable and felt we were dangerous on the counter-attack. I can't think of another chance they had."

Visiting manager Orest Lenczyk admitted United's start brought back unhappy memories - Wroclaw lost 7-2 at Tannadice in a 1980 UEFA Cup tie during his first spell in charge of the club.

But he praised his men for recovering to edge a thrilling encounter.

Lenczyk said: "After 10 minutes I remembered what happened here all those years ago.

"After losing two goals so quickly, normally you think this is the end of the game.

"But I have great respect for my players - they thought it was just the beginning.

"Dundee United didn't let us play in the beginning. They were very good up front and in the air and we had to adjust to that."