Substitute Mostafa Fathi scored with virtually the last kick of the game as Zamalek salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to high-flying Maqassa in an exciting Egyptian Premier League clash on Saturday.

Maqassa, who claimed the scalp of Zamalek's Cairo rivals Ahly as well as Ismaily earlier in the campaign, were moments away from another remarkable win over the last of Egypt's so-called big three when a superb chip by super sub Fathi in the sixth of seven stoppage-time minutes broke their hearts after they produced a spirited display at Cairo's Petrosport Stadium.

The visitors went ahead as early as the third minute through a thunderbolt from midfielder Mahmoud Abdel-Ati but playmaker Ayman Hefni, one of Zamalek's stars in their triumphant league campaign last season, leveled the score with a curling shot nine minutes before the break.

Zamalek were guilty of squandering several goal-scoring chances in the second half and they paid the price for their wastefulness when Moroccan midfielder Omar Najdi volleyed home on the rebound after a powerful shot had struck the crossbar.

Talented winger Fathi, who usually rescues Zamalek off the bench, made the most of a brilliant assist from Hefni at the death to spare his team's blushes and give respite to Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta, who reports said might be sacked less than a month after he succeeded Portuguese tactician Jesualdo Ferreira, given the typical impatient nature of outspoken chairman Mortada Mansour.

The result marked Zamalek's second successive draw after they were held by Petrojet in their previous game. They lie fourth in the table with 18 points, five behind leaders Maqassa who played three matches more.

Ahly, whose eight-season hegemony was ended by Zamalek last term, could leapfrog their perennial rivals if they beat El-Entag El-Harbi on Sunday.

Sustained pressure

Sustained pressure from Maqassa resulted in a stunning third-minute goal when Zamalek's defence failed to clear a corner and Abdel-Ati, nicknamed Dunga after the former Brazil midfielder, pounced with an unstoppable long-range piledriver which nestled into the top corner past the stranded keeper.

Maqassa remained in control until the 10^th minute, moving the ball around smoothly after Zamalek were taken by surprise.

However, the White Knights soon asserted their authority after their skilful attacking midfielders stepped up a gear, with lone striker Ahmed Hassan Mekki miscuing his shot with the goal at his mercy after being released by a through ball from Ahmed Hamoudi on 12 minutes.

Zamalek's pressure paid off on 36 minutes when Hefni cut inside his marker and planted a curling shot into the corner of the net and the club were unlucky not to go to the dressing room 2-1 up after Mahmoud Kahraba wasted a couple of goal-scoring opportunities.

He skipped past a couple of challengers on the left but selfishly sent a low shot from a tight angle rather than squaring for his teammates, with keeper Mahmoud Hamdi easily thwarting him.

Three minutes before the break, he raced clear again and his weak shot went past the advancing Hamdi, only to be cleared by a defender from few yards out.

Hamoudi also spurned a clear-cut chance early in the second half and Zamalek were duly punished for their profligacy when a thumping shot from substitute Abdellatif Aboubakr hit the crossbar and fell to Najdi, whose first-timer from the edge of the area found an empty net.

The introduction of attacking midfielders Mohamed Ibrahim and Fathi spurred Zamalek into action though and they broke Maqassa's resistance with a delicate touch from Fathi just before the final whistle.

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