Brann 2 Dinamo Zagreb 1

Eirik Bakke's first goal in this season's UEFA Cup gave Brann the victory over 10-man Dinamo Zagreb which keeps their chances of qualifying from Group D alive and kicking.

There was a double blow for Dinamo in first-half injury-time as Gordon Schildenfeld was sent off and Olafur Orn Bjarnason fired in the penalty to give Brann the lead.

Ognjen Vukojevic put the visitors back on level terms early in the second-half before Bakke netted the winner for the Norwegian champions.

Dinamo had the better of the early chances and almost took the lead in the fifth minute but Nikola Pokrivac's 25-yard effort flew over the bar.

On 11 minutes the visitors went even closer as Mario Mandzukic rocked the crossbar with a 25-yard screamer.

Brann began to get into the game but couldn't turn their possession into chances and it wasn't until the half-hour mark that they had their first real attempt on goal.

Thorstein Helstad drilled in an 18-yard effort which was easily caught by Dinamo keeper Georg Koch.

Dinamo were having the better of the opportunities and they were denied by the woodwork again in the 33rd minute as Luka Modric's 18-yard effort hit the post.

But it was Brann who took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Schildenfeld brought down Helstad in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and adding to Dinamo's woes by sending off the 22-year-old defender.

Koch had no chance as Bjarnason powered the ball into the bottom-right corner.

But less than four minutes after the restart the visitors were back on level terms as Vukojevic rose above the Brann defence to head in Modric's inswinging corner.

And it was the 10 men from Zagreb that looked likelier to take the lead.

Mandzukic going close in the 67th minute with a powerful header that was well saved by Brann keeper Hakon Opdal.

But Bakke restored the Norwegian champions' advantage five minutes later, heading in Erik Huseklepp's cross.

The only dampener on an otherwise good night for the hosts was Bakke's booking which will see him miss out on Brann's trip to Basle in their last match of the group stages.