Johan Venegas struck a 77th-minute winner as Montreal Impact beat Columbus Crew 2-1 to earn a first-leg advantage in their Eastern Conference semi-final playoff at the Saputo Stadium.

The Canadians dominated the opening stages as Chelsea legend Didier Drogba fired just wide on two occasions in a fast and furious first half an hour for the hosts.

Despite their dominance, it was Crew who edged ahead when Federico Higuain turned home an Ethan Finlay corner on the 33-minute mark - though the lead would only last minutes.

The Impact continued in the same vein and saw their patience rewarded when Patrice Bernier levelled up by converting a Marco Donadel cross from close range to ensure parity at the break.

Montreal continued to dominate after the break, with Donadel and Calum Mallace testing Steve Clark as Columbus clung on, but it only slowed the inevitable.

With 13 minutes of normal time to go, Venegas, who replaced Nigel Reo-Coker midway through the half, curled past Clark from the edge of the box as Impact drew first blood in the tie.