BATE Borisov have taken a 2-1 lead in at half time against Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League.

Denis Plyakov gave the home side the lead on 19 minutes when he fired into the roof of the net after a quick corner had been flicked into the defender's path.

The Belarus outfit nearly doubled their lead on the half-hour mark but Mikalay Signevich smashed a volley against the post.

BATE doubled their advantage towards the end of the first period when Alyaksandr Karnitsky fired in an effort from the edge of the box to wrongfoot the goalkeeper.

However, Aritz Aduriz struck on the cusp of half time to give Athletic hope heading into the second period.