BATE Borisov came from behind to defeat 10-man AEK Athens 2-1 following a closely-contested clash between the two Group I rivals at the Dinamo stadium in Minsk.

The Greek side took a 31st-minute lead through Argentinian striker Ismael Blanco's penalty, but were pegged back by their Belorussian opponents when Aleksandr Pavlov rammed the ball home following some poor goalkeeping by AEK shot-stopper Sebastian Saja.

The visitors were reduced to 10 players just after half-time when defender Daniel Majstorovic was dismissed and substitute Aleksandr Alumona then headed the winner for the hosts with just five minutes remaining.

The result, coupled with Benfica's victory over Everton, means AEK drop behind Everton to third place in the section, three points adrift and level on three points with BATE. Benfica now lead the group on goal difference.

Both sides struggled to create clear chances on a difficult playing surface which cut up badly in wet conditions, but it was the visitors who struck first just after the half hour mark.

BATE defender Serge Sosnovski brought down AEK's Hungary starlet Krisztian Nemeth in the box and Blanco stepped up to slot home from the spot.

AEK seemed content to sit back and defend their lead which they managed quite comfortably until the 51st minute, when Dmitri Likhtarovich tried his luck with a speculative shot from distance.

Visiting goalkeeper Saja spilled the shot, managed to pick himself up to parry Vitali Rodionov's follow-up but he could not stop Pavlov, who had also advanced on goal, slotting the ball home for the equalizer.

The momentum then swung further in favour of the home side in the 53rd minute when AEK defender Majstorovic was dismissed after picking up a second booking for a foul on Sergei Krivets near the half-way line on the left flank.

AEK dug their heels in to try to secure a point for the remainder of the second half, but they suffered a knockout blow when Alumona, who only replaced Maksim Bordachov seconds earlier, rose unmarked at the far post to head home Krivets' corner in the 85th minute to cap an impressive fightback for the home side.

AEK's miserable night was complete when coach Dusan Bajevic was sent to the stands in added time for over-zealous protests about some of Hungarian referee Zsolt Szabo's decisions.

Teams

BATE Veremko, Sosnovskiy, Shitov, Yurevich, Alexander Volodko,Krivets, Likhtarovich (Goaryan 66), Nekhaychik,Pavlov (Skavysh 55), Bordachov (Alumona 85), Rodionov.

Subs Not Used: Hutar, Radkov, Maksim Volodko, Baga.

Booked: Sosnovskiy, Alexander Volodko, Goaryan.

Goals: Pavlov 52, Alumona 86.

AEK Athens Sebastian Saja, Arce, Majstorovic,Juanfran (Karabelas 62), Jahic, Kafes, Nsaliwa,Nemeth (Leonardo 82), Scocco, Manduca, Blanco (Makos 58).

Subs Not Used: Arampatzis, Yahaya, Iordache, Taxtsidis.

Sent Off: Majstorovic (54), Arce (90).

Booked: Majstorovic, Kafes, Nsaliwa, Arce.

Goals: Blanco 31 pen.

Att: 20,000

Ref: Zsolt Szabo (Hungary).