It was always going to be a tough task for the Reds made all the more so by some dreadful defending that gifted a couple of goals to the Romanian champions.
The game got off to a bad start for both sides with the dismissals of Dave Rogers and Romanian playmaker Nicolae Dica after only five minutes. After a short scuffle, Dica threw a punch at Rogers, the defender retaliated and both were immediately given their marching orders
The first goal came in the 18th minute when Steaua left back Mihai Nesu lofted a high ball into the box and winger Banel Nicolita got in between Harris and Crawley and lifted the ball past Delaney.
Eight minutes later and Steaua got their second thanks to some schoolboy defending by Shel’s. Nesu was allowed to put in a low ball from the left which Harris and Delaney somehow let go between them and across the face of goal where Crawley completely mis-hit his clearance straight to the feet of Victoras Iacob who had no trouble finishing from six yards.
Steaua then piled on the pressure and Shelbourne were fortunate not to find themselves further behind but somehow, against the run of play, they grabbed a lifeline in the 39th minute when a deep cross from Crawley was headed back across goal by Baker for Jason Byrne to head home.
After the break Shelbourne had a chance to draw level when Baker headed narrowly over from a Crawley cross but from then on Steaua lifted the tempo looking for the goal that would finish the game for good.
Nesu forced Delaney to save with his legs in the 58th minute and the referee correctly waved away a penalty claim when Radoi fell under an Owen Heary challenge.
But Shel’s luck finally ran out in the 62nd minute when Dinita chased down a long ball that Delaney looked favourite for only for the 'keeper to horribly miscue his clearance allowing the striker to steer the ball into a gaping net.
Dinita was sent off in injury time for a second bookable offense but Steaua had the final say when Daniel Oprita scored an injury-time penalty after Owen Heary had handled the ball.