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Lokeren ended Group L leaders Legia Warsaw's 100 per cent Europa League record with an impressive win - but it was not enough to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Hans Vanaken's seventh-minute goal settled the match in the hosts' favour.
But Trabzonspor beat Metalist Kharkiv 3-1 to remain three points ahead of Peter Maes' side, with the crucial head-to-head advantage in their favour.
Legia had won their first four games in the group and began this one on the front foot, Lukasz Broz firing wide in the sixth minute.
Lokeren, though, swept straight down the other end to alleviate the early pressure and take the lead. Junior Dutra's cross was allowed to bounce across the penalty area and Vanaken crashed it home at the far post.
The lanky Vanaken sent a 20-yard effort off target before Ayanda Patosi forced a save from visiting keeper Dusan Kuciak from similar range.
Lokeren's Alexander Scholz and Legia's Tomasz Jodlowiec failed to test the opposing keepers from distance but Boubacar Barry made his first save of the night when Guilherme's right-wing free-kick curled towards goal.
Jodlowiec fired over and Orlando Sa shot wide, leaving Legia still one goal in arrears at the interval.
Kilian Overmeire shot over before Dutra's effort was blocked by Kuciak as the Belgians sought to finish the game off early in the second period.
Legia's Ondrej Duda shot over from close range while Nill de Pauw's header for Lokeren was also too high.
Barry saved from first Marek Saganowski and then Duda to preserve his side's lead.
Patosi shot wide before he was substituted and his replacement Jordan Remacle fired over.
Legia were searching for an equaliser but Michal Kucharczyk's effort went wide and when Jakub Rzezniczak fired over, their last chance was gone.
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LEGI
