A goal and an assist from Roman Pavlyuchenko were not enough for Lokomotiv Moscow to beat Alania Vladikavkaz, who clung on for a 2-2 draw in the Russian Premier League game on Saturday.
The game had a dramatic ending as Denis Glushakov looked to take the win for Lokomotiv from the penalty spot six minutes into stoppage time, but Alania goalkeeper Dmitry Khomich turned his shot onto the post.
"I am thankful to the guys for their commitment, they displayed both will and team spirit," Alania coach Vladimir Gazzaev said.
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Pavlyuchenko opened the score just three minutes into the match, beating three defenders before curling the ball into the far corner from outside the penalty area.
Alania responded three minutes later when defender Anton Grigoriev headed the ball past Dario Kresci following the corner from Russia under-21 winger Khubulov.
Brazil striker Maicon's marking had been partly at fault for the equalizer but he remedied that by putting Lokomotiv ahead again on 33 minutes, sending the ball past Khomich after a pinpoint pass from Pavlyuchenko saw him one on one with the keeper.
This time it took the Caucasus side just four minutes to level the score as ex-Ipswich Town striker Tamas Priskin headed the ball into the net after Lokomotiv defenders Taras Burlak and Andrey Yeshchenko left him in plenty of space in the box.
In the second half Lokomotiv spurned many chances to seal the win, especially after Alania defender Aslan Dudiev saw straight red on 83 minutes for a flying tackle against Maicon.
With seconds of stoppage time remaining, the Moscow side won a penalty for Grigoriev's foul on newly-signed Senegal forward Dame N'Doye, only for Khomich to pull of a spectacular save.
Earlier Saturday Zenit St. Petersburg hammered in five goals as they demolished 10-man Spartak Moscow in a top-of-the-table clash and went clear at the top.
On Friday, FC Kuban defeated rivals FC Krasnodar 2-1 in a derby clash.
Later Saturday, Terek Grozny play FC Volga.
In four matches Sunday, CSKA Moscow host Anzhi and Rubin Kazan welcome Dynamo Moscow, while Amkar Perm face Mordovia Saransk and Rostov meet Krylya Sovetov.
