A second goal in two games from Aras Ozbiliz gave Kuban a hard-won point in a 2-2 home draw with Spartak Moscow on Saturday.
The result leaves Kuban sixth and Spartak seventh in the Russian Premier League after each had the chance to leapfrog Anzhi into fifth with a win.
Ozbiliz struck Kuban’s crucial second to level the scores on 63 minutes, first winning a free-kick 25 yards out and then curling the ball around the wall and inside Andriy Dikan’s post.
Ex-Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady had opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a fierce shot past Alexander Belenov following a selfless lay-off from teammate Ari.
Artyom Fidler replied in style for Kuban 12 minutes later, seizing on a misplaced clearance for Juan Manuel Insaurralde and firing in a 25-yard missile of a shot that left Spartak goalkeeper Andriy Dikan with no chance.
Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike restored Spartak’s lead eight minutes after the break, picking up a ball over the top from Dmitry Kombarov on the counter attack, advancing into the Kuban box and beating Belenov with a powerful strike.
After Ozbiliz made it 2-2, Spartak piled the pressure on Kuban but poor finishing cost the visitors.
Ari fought through a thicket of Kuban defenders on 66 minutes, but could only produce a soft shot at Belenov. Shortly after, Emenike headed over from two yards out.
The Nigerian forward also missed the target in stoppage time.
