The visitors, weakened by the loss of six regular first team players, were deservedly beaten by a spirited Hapoel side who but for Bosnich could have run out winners by a wider margin.

Chelsea's third choice keeper, whose last competitive match was 18 months ago, pulled off several smart second half saves - the best of which denied close range shots from Milan Ostrec and Klashenco - but could do nothing about Hapoel's late salvo.

The Blues, who lost Mario Melchiot for violent conduct after 53 minutes, went behind when Gershon scored from the spot after John Terry had handled Ilan Bachar's cross low down. Further damaged followed when Klashenco left Bosnich helpless with a glanced header that went in off the far post.

Chelsea - hapless in the first half - must have received a verbal kick up the back side at the break from boss Claudio Ranieri but something got lost in translation.

The Blues remained ineffective and lost Melchiot into the bargain when the defender, frustrated at being held by Shimon Gershon in the home box, kicked his opposite number on the rump in an off-the-ball incident.

It was a needless act on a night largely overshadowed by world affairs. Six Chelsea players - including Marcel Desailly, Graeme Le Saux and William Gallas - opted not to travel to Israel because of fears for their safety.

The list of absentees left the way for Bosnich to make his first team debut ten months on from joining the club. Seventeen-year-old defender Joel Katamirike was also named in the starting line-up.

Chelsea, wearing sponsor-less shirts in light of the current fragile political climate in the Middle East, looked far from themselves in the first half.

Bosnich was the busiest keeper, but even the hosts' greatest threat - an Istavan Pishont left foot volley - was at best a couple of yards wide.

It took 37 minutes before the Blues delivered their first shot on target, but Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's long range free kick-which was comfortably saved.

The home team continued to impress after the break as Denis Unishenko and Kleschenko both tested Bosnich from distance.

The loss of Melchiot forced Chelsea to re-organise. The ineffective Boudewijn Zenden was replaced by Sam Dalla Bona and instantly Chelsea looked in better shape.

Lampard rattled the outside of the near post from a tight angle and Dalla Bona tried his luck from 25-yards.

Things were not on the up though for the Londoners. Bosnich produced more heroics after 74 minutes with a brilliant save to beat away an effort from Kleschenko, and he also kept out the follow-up from Ostrec.