PAOK remained on qualification track in their Europa League group after downing Shamrock Rovers 2-1 at home on Thursday, while AEK have only got mathematical hopes of making it through after losing 3-1 to Lokomotiv in Moscow.
Facing the part-timers of Shamrock Rovers, the champions of Ireland, PAOK led from the first half thanks to a spectacular Costin Lazar goal at the 12th minute.
The Irish equalised early in the second half through Karl Sheppard, but PAOK took all three points courtesy of a powerful shot from outside the area by Adelino Vieirinha at the 63rd minute.
The Thessaloniki side now have five points from three games, second only to Tottenham (with seven) and ahead of Rubin Kazan (with four) and Shamrock Rovers(with no points).
PAOK's next match is away at Shamrock Rovers on November 3.
AEK played a good first half but could not translate their performance into goals. Therefore when their defence betrayed the teamof coach Nikos Costenoglou twice in the second half, conceding two goals to Dmitry Sychev (the second from the penalty spot), a recovery was unlikely.
Teenage striker Steve Beleck missed a couple of big chances for AEK before Dimitris Sialmas pulled one back for AEK two minutes from time, but instead of equalising the Athens side conceded a third goal to Felipe Caicedo in time added on.
As a result AEK have very little chances of advancing to the next round with three more games left to play. Anderecht have nine points, Lokomotiv are second with six, Sturm Graz have three and AEK are yet to get a point.
AEK host Lokomotiv next on November 3.
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