The European woes of Dundalk continued on Thursday night with an eighth consecutive group defeat in the Europa League.
Filippo Giovagnoli's side lost 3-1 away to Norwegian champions Molde.
The Dundalk goal came in injury time through Jordan Flores.
Defeat means the Lilywhites will go into next week's game with Arsenal at the Aviva without a point to their name.
Giovagnoli could only look on forlornly from the stands where he was spotted possibly communicating via text message to the Dundalk bench.
The Italian had been banished from having contact with his players for 'shadow coaching' earlier in the campaign.
Things might have been very different had Daniel Kelly's through ball for Nathan Oduwa in the 29th minute not been so lead-footed.
Seconds later, Molde were in front.
A Birk Risa cross found the head of an unmarked Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who opened the scoring for the hosts.
30: GOAL!
Molde 1-0 @DundalkFC
Magnus Wolff Eikrem with a glancing header at the front post past Rogers.#CmonTheTown | #UEL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/zM7wNccGvF— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 3, 2020
Ten minutes later it was 2-0, and again Risa was the provider from that left flank.
He lofted a ball for Ohi Omoijuanfo, who outmuscled Cameron Dummigan to get his head to the ball and double Molde's lead.
Molde 2-0 @DundalkFC.
Another cross from Risa.
The header from Ohi Omoijuanfo.#CmonTheTown | #UEL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/hX9IeDcZrg— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 3, 2020
Any lingering hopes Dundalk had of retrieving something from the game evaporated mid-way through the second half.
A corner from Eikrem flew all the way to the back post where another header - this time from Martin Ellingsen - made it 3-0.
67: GOAL!
Molde 3-0 @DundalkFC.
Another header. This time it's Martin Ellingsen.#CmonTheTown | #UEL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/vuyBzYcO6j— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 3, 2020
That scoreline would have flattered the hosts to an extent, but deep into injury-time Flores took the sting out of the defeat.
The Puskas Award nominee added another long-range howitzer to his collection, firing a bullet of a left-footed shot beyond the grasp of Andreas Linde in the Molde goal.
Jordan Flores! 🚀
He does it again!
An absolute rocket gives @DundalkFC a consolation goal in Norway.#CmonTheTown | #UEL | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/meOyttkQDN— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) December 3, 2020
So next up for Dundalk, the visit of Arsenal to the Aviva Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side maintained their 100 per cent record in Group B with a 4-1 win at home to Rapid Vienna.
