Schiemer ensures Salzburg remain perfect

A header three minutes into added time from Franz Schiemer broke the resistance of ten-man PFC Levski Sofia and put FC Salzburg on the verge of a last-32 place in the UEFA Europa League.

Record ended
The Austrian champions were frustrated by a Levski side who looked the more likely scorers after Georgi Sarmov's 62nd-minute dismissal, until Schiemer nodded in a long throw. By maintaining their 100 per cent record in Group G, Huub Steven's Salzburg have moved six points clear of Villarreal CF and S.S. Lazio after the former's 4-1 victory against the Serie A side.

Woodwork struck
Salzburg began brightly with Marc Janko testing Georgi Petkov from a narrow angle, and Somen Tchoyi heading the ensuing corner over the crossbar. Janko then came even closer when he volleyed a diagonal cross from the right against the foot of the post with Petkov rooted to the spot.

Levski on top
If the opening stages were all Salzburg, the rest of the half belonged to Levski, who should have registered their first goal of the group through Hristo Yovov only for the No10 to send Zé Soares' near-post centre high and wide from close range. Salzburg goalkeeper Eddie Gustafsson was pressed into service for the first time nine minutes before the break when Yovov teed up Darko Tasevski, while after the restart Dušan Švento − the scorer of the only goal when the sides met on Matchday 3 − tested Petkov low down at his near post.

Red card
A rush of blood by Petkov, however, then led to his side going a man down, the goalkeeper losing possession outside the area and leaving Sarmov with little option but to bring down Švento. Given their plight in the section, Levski were forced to attack yet it was ultimately to no avail as Schiemer's late act denied them a first point in the section.