Dmitri Sychev scored twice in the second half to see off AEK Athens and boost Lokomotiv Moscow's hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stage.

The 27-year-old headed the opener just after the break and doubled the hosts' advantage by ramming home the second from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

AEK, who had edged the first half, never looked like mounting a comeback until Dimitris Sialmas scored with an 88th-minute header to give them hope.

It proved no more than a consolation, though, as substitute Felipe Caicedo restored Lokomotiv's two-goal cushion in stoppage time.

The victory put the Russians on six points at the halfway stage in Group L, while their opponents' hopes of progression receded further as their wait for their first point in the pool went on.

The Greeks were the first to threaten as Fabian Vargas fired wide before Lokomotiv's Alberto Zapater brought a parry out of AEK goalkeeper Giannis Arampatzis with a shot from 18 yards.

The visitors gave as good as they got in the early stages, Steve Leo trying his luck from long range and seeing is effort parried by Brazilian keeper Guilherme, who also held Jose Carlos' weak attempt.

Lokomotiv striker Maicon then got on the end of Manuel da Costa's cross, but his shot from the centre of the area went wide.

Maicon was forced off by injury at the break, replaced by Nigeria international Victor Obinna, and within two minutes the Russians were in front.

Long-serving striker Sychev planted a header into the bottom corner from the edge of the six-yard box.

The hosts were suddenly well on top, Obinna testing Arampatzis from 25 yards and Roman Shishkin lashing wide from closer in.

Arampatzis then parried Alberto Zapater's shot as Lokomotiv continued to threaten.

A second goal was coming and it arrived in the 70th minute.

Nikos Karabelas fouled Sychev in the area and the Russia international powered the resulting penalty high into the net.

AEK grabbed a lifeline from nowhere when Sialmas headed home Leonardo's outswinging corner two minutes from time

But any hopes of a comeback were extinguished three minutes into stoppage time when Caicedo fired home a loose ball after his first shot had been pushed away by Arampatzis.