The Dutch side opened the scoring in the UEFA Cup Group A fixture through Ferreira Ari in the 20th minute, but the Brazilian was then sent off 19 minutes later.

Zenit equalised in the 43rd minute with a penalty from Anatoliy Tymoschuk but despite dominating the second half were unable to find a winning goal.

The Eredivisie side started the brighter of the two teams and came close to breaking the deadlock twice in the opening stages of the match.

Midfielder Kemy Agustien saw his shot from just outside the penalty area cleared by defender Martin Skrtel in the fifth minute and striker Moussa Dembele lifted a shot over the over the bar from 18 yards in the 10th minute.

AZ's early pressure paid off and they took the lead in the 20th minute with a goal from Ari.

The 21-year-old striker found space in the penalty area and directed his shot into the top-right corner from 12 yards past Zenit goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky.

The visitors though pressed the self-destruct button seven minutes before half-time.

Ari was shown a red card in the 39th minute for serious foul play and four minutes later AZ defender Kew Jaliens brought down Zenit striker Andrei Arshavin in the area.

The referee pointed to the spot and despite the protests from several AZ players, which saw a flurry of yellow cards, the decision stood.

Zenit midfielder Tymoschuk took the spot-kick and powerfully struck the ball into the bottom-left of the goal past AZ goalkeeper Boy Waterman.

The home side, benefiting from the extra player, took the initiative after the break and piled on the pressure as they went in search of the victory while AZ were largely restricted to long-range attempts.

Zenit's best chance came in the 67th minute when Arshavin picked out Alejandro Dominguez but he could only direct his header over the bar from inside the six-yard box.

AZ almost stole the points late in injury time but Dembele saw his close-range header parried by Contofalsky.