After playing out a 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon at home two weeks ago, Maribor showed that they could be competitive also in away matches in Europe's top club competition, proving worthy opponents for the more fancied German club.

Indeed, it was Maribor who opened the scoring, when speedster Damjan Bohar latched on from a pinpoint pass from the wing after a Maribor counter attack in the 37th minute.

The goal came after Schalke failed to turn their opportunities up front into goalscoring chances, while Maribor preferred to look for their opportunities from counter attacks.

Despite being down in possession Maribor made more of their chances in the first half, threatening the Schalke goal twice and coming close another time as midfielder Dare Vršič tried his luck from 52 metres out following a cleared Schalke corner.

Looking to protect the lead into the second half, Maribor worked on stymieing the Schalke attack, only to be outplayed by Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the 56th, as he slotted home a low ball from the edge of the box.

While Schalke pushed forward looking for the match winner, Maribor's defence remained solid to bring the Slovenian champions their second point in group G to be tied with Schalke in second place.

Maribor will travel to London on 21 October to take on Chelsea.