Colombian side Tolima took a 1-0 first-leg lead over Universidad Cesar Vallejo in the Copa Libertadores preliminary round despite being reduced to 10 men on Thursday.

The only goal came in the 58th minute when Anders Andrade superbly beat three defenders and fired against the post, and Rogerio Leichtweis pounced on the rebound.

Defender Breiner Belalcazar was sent off a minute later after collecting his second yellow card but Tolima held on for victory, and could even have extended their cushion with several chances on the break.

"Maybe the difference isn't big, but we won and that's no little thing," said goalscorer Rogerio afterwards. "We must be focused during the entire match in Peru to advance."

The winners of the tie will play in Group Six of the tournament proper alongside Peru's Real Garcilaso, Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno and Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe.

Meanwhile, Defensor Sporting of Uruguay and Paraguayans Olimpia drew 0-0 in a dour encounter played in heavy rain in Montevideo.

The teams will meet again next Thursday night in Asuncion looking to join Universidad de Chile, Argentina's Newell's and Deportivo Lara of Venezuela in Group Seven.