Marseille coach Eric Gerets was relieved to get through to the Champions League group stages after seeing his side struggle against Brann Bergen in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Mamadou Niang capitalised on two defensive errors in the second half to seal OM's passage through to Thursday's draw with a 2-1 win on the night and 3-1 victory on aggregate, but it was not all plain sailing for the hosts.

Brann equalised at the Stade Velodrome with 15 minutes left and then needed to score just once more to go through on away goals, but OM held on before Niang made the game safe with a poacher's finish in injury time.

Gerets admitted some of the contest made for uncomfortable viewing from the dug-out.

"Everyone was expecting us to qualify but we knew the result from the first leg could make this a tricky game," said the Belgian, whose side are the third from France to qualify for the lucrative pool stages.

"We didn't want to take risks and in the first half, Bergen didn't surrender. Tactically, we didn't play well and there were errors.

"We played better in the second half but unfortunately they scored. And of course I was worried.

"With their big guys, all it needed was one long ball and a slip from us for them to score.

"They weren't that dangerous but one good cross could have seen us lose."

Marseille will join fellow Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the third pot of seeds in Thursday's draw for the group stages.

Lyon, the French champions, are among the first seeds.