Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg [Images] lost 1-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday but eased into the UEFA Cup semi-finals for the first time thanks to their 4-1 lead from the first leg.

Zenit, coached by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, had an anxious time defending their advantage as Leverkusen attacked their goalmouth with vigour from the opening whistle.

An early period of pressure paid off when the German side's Russian striker Dmitri Bulykin scored in the 18th minute, heading a cross from full-back Gonzalo Castro past countryman Vyacheslav Malafeev in the Zenit goal.

But Zenit came out after the interval playing with more urgency, threatening the Leverkusen goal on a few occasions and frustrating attempts by the visitors to narrow the aggregate lead.

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As the clock ticked down, Leverkusen coach Michael Skibbe made three subsitutions, including bringing on striker Stefan Kiessling for midfielder Paul Freier in a last-ditch attempt to beef up his attacking line.

However, the Russian side finished the stronger. Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez awarded a penalty on 85 minutes when Zenit striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was brought down.

Anatoliy Tymoschuk missed the target but Zenit had already done enough to secure their semi-final place.

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