It was not just that Blues defeat was maddeningly unlucky, but the incredible goings-on in Maribor also cut to the quick.

The tightest and most unpredictable of groups took another dramatic twist, and Blues were left to come to terms with the likelihood that their Europa League adventure is about to end.

Blues should have capitalised on a good first-half performance.

And in the night's other relevant fixture Maribor certainly should have capitalised on the control they exacted. They were rattling along at 3-0 with just 16 minutes left against Club Brugge.

But the Belgians, who have tended to make an art form of the giveaway this season, remarkably recovered to triumph 4-3 and the winner arrived in the 90th minute.

The upshot is that Brugge are now in the driving seat to progress to the knock-out stage of the competition alongside SC Braga, with just the final round of fixtures in December left.

Blues could have been in that very position by making it easier on themselves, but Nikola Zigic had an 11th minute penalty saved and a fluke goal by Hugo Viana in the second-half proved decisive.

Now Brugge only have to avoid defeat at home to Braga to ensure a required Blues victory against Maribor at St Andrew's 10 days before Christmas is rendered hollow.

Ironically the opening spell from Blues last night was their best so far at the beginning of a group game.

That they didn’t make it count was due to Zigic’s fluffed spot-kick and a significant dab of misfortune.

The opportunity to seize the advantage evolved after Jonathan Spector chipped the ball down the right flank for Wade Elliott to chase.