Greece round-up: AEK's added time delight

AEK Athens FC kept their Hellenic National League title hopes alive as they became the first side to gain three points at local rivals Olympiakos Piraeus FC this season - on a weekend that saw Panathinaikos FC's winning streak end with a goalless draw.

AEK ahead
Olympaikos, unbeaten at home this season, went into the game hoping to overhaul Panathinaikos, but instead saw their two-point deficit increase to three. AEK went ahead on 32 minutes when Demis Nikolaidis headed in by Vassilis Borbokis's accurate cross and held the lead until the break.

Added time winner
Both goalkeepers were then forced to pull off some good saves before league leading scorer Stelios Giannakopoulos levelled for Olympiakos with 21 minutes remaining, his 12th goal of the season. But their unbeaten home record disappeared four minutes into added time when Kostas Katsouranis scored AEK's winner to consolidate them in third place, now within seven points the lead.

Leaders held
Panathinaikos themselves were held 0-0 at Panionios FC. After ten straight wins, Panathinaikos were hoping to continue their run at the fourth-placed team, but on an uneven surface, neither side were able to find their rhythm and there were few clear-cut chances.

Iraklis derby victory
FC PAOK Thessaloniki were unable to overtake Panionios as they lost 1-0 at home in the Thessaloniki derby to Iraklis FC. PAOK looked set to take the lead when they were awarded a seventh-minute penalty for a foul on when Giannakis Okkas by Regilio Vreide, but Kostas Halkias saved Giorgos Georgiadis's spot kick. Almost immediately, Iraklis broke and Ederson Fofonka scored what proved to be the winner, holding on even after Ieroklis Stoltidis's sending-off for a second bookable offence 20 minutes from time.

In the running
Aris Thessaloniki FC remain in the running for a European place following a 2-0 win at Kallithea GS. Aris had Debah Niren sent off on 42 minutes for striking an opponent, and then had a penalty from Angelos Digozis saved by Foto Strakosia. But the visitors were still able to clinch victory, with second-half goals from Leonidas Kapantais and Giorgos Koussas.

Pritas double
Panahaiki FC moved neared to relegation as Thanassis Pritas scored on 15 and 17 minutes to give Xanthi FC a 2-0 away win, but Akratitos FC secured three valuable points, beating Proodeftiki FC 2-1 through Panagiotis Ziakkas's last-minute winner. Greek Cup semi-finalists Egaleo FC beat PAS Giannina FC 2-1, but the last 18 minutes of the match between OFI Crete FC and Ionikos FC will have to be played at a later date when a power failure halted the game with the score at 1-1.