Cote d'Ivoire took a step closer to reaching the World Cup next year after a comfortable victory over Senegal in their first leg play-off, but will be disappointed they conceded a late goal which which appears to have taken some of the gloss off the scoreline for the hosts.

Captain Didier Drogba opened the scoring with a penalty in the fifth minute for the winners, and an own goal from Lamine Sane shortly after doubled their advantage.

Salomon Kalou coolly slotted a third just after half-time and, although Papiss Cisse netted an injury-time strike for the losers, Ivory Coast still won well.

They now have the upper hand in their bid to secure a place at next year's showpiece in Brazil, with Senegal to host the second leg on November 16.

Cote d'Ivoire coach Sabri Lamouchi made five changes to the side that drew with Morocco last time out, with Didier Zokora and Sol Bamba headlining the inclusions.

Newcastle striker Cisse – who is Senegal's leading scorer in qualification – returned to the starting line-up for the visitors as one of four changes.

The winners made the perfect start, scoring after just five minutes when Gervinho was upended by Cheikhou Kouyate in the penalty area.

Drogba sent Senegal goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul the wrong way from the spot, and things went from bad to worse for Alain Giresse's side shortly after.

The lively Gervinho, who was a constant threat for the victors, raced away down the left, before aiming a cross at Drogba from the left.

Sane deflected the cross into his own net though, sending a partisan crowd wild as Cote d'Ivoire led 2-0 in less than 15 minutes.

Senegal did enjoy a good spell after, posing some questions for Cote d'Ivoire, but Gervinho should have scored a third six minutes before the break when he raced clear and rounded Coundoul.

Gervinho's effort was blocked by Lamine Gassama though, while Yaya Toure blasted over as the Elephants had to be content with a two-goal lead at half-time.

The third goal did arrive though, with Gervinho setting up Kalou just after the break.

The Lille striker broke the offside trap and then kept his composure, sliding past the advancing Coundoul and into the net.

Yaya Toure almost added a fourth four minutes from time when his shot flashed just past the post before Cisse gave Senegal a late lifeline.

The hosts failed to deal with a long ball pumped into the penalty area and Cisse reacted quickest, smashing past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The goal gave Senegal some hope, but Cote d'Ivoire left the pitch the happiest after a convincing win.