Following a poor run of form, PAOK finally returned to winning ways and claimed a vital European qualification, while also boosting their psychology in the process in view of a difficult series of matches ahead.

At the start of the evening, even before a ball was kicked, there was not the best of starts, with Omar El Kaddouri limping out of the warm-up and Douglas Augusto taking his place in the starting lineup unexpectedly.

PAOK started the match in determined mood and did not allow the opposition time on the ball, although they did not threaten much until the 17th minute, when Adrija Zivkovic opened the scoring with a well-placed header following an inch-perfect cross from left by Sidcley. That goal brought some much-needed relief to both players and supporters, and thereafter the home side played with much more freedom. However, despite creating several chances, no further goal were added up to half-time with Kurtic and Murg passing up good opportunties to score.

In the second half, A. Zivkovic then turned from scorer to provider, curling an inswinging cross to an unmarked Stefan Schwab who scored with a stooping diving header, glancing his effort in off the far post to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

The tempo of the match dropped thereafter, and Lucescu then had to make some changes due to a couple of injuries. Schwab and Taylor were the players who suffered knocks and were replaced. Diego Biseswar then missed a great opportunity to make it 3-0, spooning his shot over the crossbar after doing the hard work in the box, but it mattered not as Lincoln never really managed to threaten the home goal.

The last 20 minutes were more of a formality than an exciting game of football as both teams’ slowed their pace, and with news filtering through of Copenhagen’s 2-0 scoreline against Slovan.

The final whistle was greeted with the Doubler-headed Eagle players, coaches, officials and fans celebrating a very important qualification success and the PAOK camp now turns its collective attention back to the upcoming Super League Interwetten home game against Lamia.

Team lineups:

PAOK: Paschalakis, Taylor (61′ Lyratzis), Mihaj, Crespo, Sidcley, Kurtic, Schwab (74′ Tsingaras), Murg, Augusto (67′ Biseswar), A. Zivkovic, Swiderski (67′ Akpom).

Lincoln: Coleing, Sergeant, R. Chipolina, Lopes, Toscano, Ronan (72′ Carralero), Yahaya, Anon, Britto (78′ Araiza), Gomez, Walker (65′ Ocran).