PAOK secured a commendable 1-1 draw with Dutch giants Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League time.

The Thessaloniki side managed to put aside the recent managerial reshuffle to produce a professional display against the Dutch league's runners-up at the Amsterdam Arena.

The visitors could have buckled after going behind in just the 13^th minute to a great finish from Uruguayan World Cup hero Luis Suarez.

Goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias was also injured in the build-up to the goal and had to be replaced by Dario Kresic.

PAOK however, held out and got a foothold in the game before grabbing what could be a very valuable equalizer.

The goal was set up by Dimitris Salpigidis in the 72^nd minute. The forward, who returned to his hometown club this summer, held up the ball in the Ajax half, spun and threaded a precise pass through the retreating Dutch defenders for the onrushing Vladimir Ivic to latch onto - he unleashed a thunderous shot into the top corners, sending some 3,000 PAOK fans at the ground into delirium.

The goal sets up a fascinating tie for the return leg next week when the passionate home crowd will surely do whatever it can to push PAOK toward a historic qualification for the group stages of the Champions League.