PAOK Salonika edged closer to a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying stage with a 1-0 home victory over Panathinaikos in the Greek Superleague play-offs.

Dimitris Salpingidis grabbed the only goal in the 32nd minute as PAOK moved to the top of the play-off table above their opponents.

Panathinaikos began the play-offs with a four-point start over their rivals, the result of finishing 16 points clear of PAOK and Atromitos, and 18 ahead of AEK Athens.

Yet they have claimed just one draw from three outings so far, leaving them with plenty to do over the final three games.

AEK got the better of Atromitos tonight, winning 3-2 in a capital derby, and stand second in the play-offs with six points, one point behind PAOK.

Atromitos went ahead tonight when Denis Epstein scored in the 20th minute, but three goals early in the second half were their undoing.

Jose Carlos netted the equaliser after 50 minutes, and Nikos Liberopoulos plundered goals in the 54th and 62nd minutes, the second a thumping volley, to open a 3-1 lead.

Atromitos hit back with a headed goal from Wayne Thomas after 68 minutes but could not find a leveller.