“I think we had control in the first half,” said Skocic. “Both sides could have scored. Chances were created, it was an interesting match.

“But in the second half, our game was a little different, the advantage went more to the opponents. If we had scored the second goal, we would have been more calm.

“But in the end, victory with a narrow margin is also pleasing.”

Regi Lushkja’s 17th minute strike separated the two sides, leaving Nasaf licking their wounds after a fifth straight defeat.

Head coach Ruzikul Berdiev is well aware qualification to the next stage looks increasingly unlikely with the Uzbekistan side yet to register points.

“We knew that Tractor would defend well, and that's what happened,” said Berdiev. “I know very well what's going on in our team. We're going through difficult times.

“Of course, we can't improve our game any more at the moment. Unfortunately, we lacked some flexibility in the offence. Every game in this competition is difficult for us.”

Tractor will welcome Qatar’s Al Duhail SC to Tabriz on December 22 while Nasaf take on Al Ittihad Club of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah a day later.