Levski Sofia were unable to shed themselves of their interminable winless streak, their worst in four decades, as they faced a tough Red Bull Salzburg  test in Austria. A single Dusan Svento goal was all that was needed for the hosts to push the visitors aside and maintain the Austrian champions' perfect record so far in UEFA Europa League Group G.
 
It was hard to contemplate that the outcome of the match was going to be anything substantially different anyway, as the Bulgarian champions made the trip to Austria on the back of the depressing statistic of seven matches without a victory.
 
If the severe dip in form and the morale being at an all time low was no enough, Levski were supposed to somehow extract a result from an arduous encounter with a makeshift leadership, as Serbian coach Ratko Dostanic had resigned in the aftermath of the humiliating league defeat to Beroe Stara Zagora.
 
Naturally, the hosts were exerting their domination from the onset of proceedings but it took them almost 20 minutes to make their first serious threat on the Bulgarian goal when Andreas Ulmer's shot forced a save from Georgi Petkov.
 
And just when the struggling Levski side appeared that they would defy logic and cling onto a draw in the first 45 minutes, Svento produced a sharp left-footed drive from the edge of the penalty area making it 1-0 for the hosts well into injury time.
 
Levski had their own chance to score a goal and amend their fortunes in the competition when early in the second half Nikolai Dimitrov crossed from the left, and with the Salzburg defender Ibrahim Sekagya hesitating, Hristo Yovov struck the woodwork from close range, a chance that he should have put away.
 
As the match approached its final quarter of an hour, Petkov denied a drive from Svento once again, which was followed shortly by an effort from Djordje Rakic but his headed sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.
 
Still, the 1-0 victory was more than sufficient for Red Bull Salzburg  to dispatch Levski Sofia and maintain their position at the summit of Group G with three points clear of S.S. Lazio following their victory over Villarreal CF 2-1.
 
Red Bull Salzburg will travel to Bulgaria on November 5 to face Levski Sofia in a match which, if the Austrians win, will all but assure their qualification from the group.