Late strike earns Nancy a point in Poland
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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KKS Lech Poznań 2-2 AS Nancy-Lorraine
Striker Moncef Zerka curled home a superb late equaliser to secure a share of the spoils for the French visitors to Poland in Group H of the UEFA Cup.
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Goalkeeper's error
Chris Malonga cancelled out an opener scored by Lech forward Sławomir Peszko in the fifth minute, but the hosts looked set for victory after Nancy goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano carried Semir Stilić's free-kick into his own net under no pressure midway through the first period. However, Zerka struck late on to secure a draw for the Lorraine club, who now have four points from two games following their 3-0 win over Feyenoord on Matchday 1.
Right first time
A riveting first half burst into life when Peszko broke the deadlock for the Polish outfit. The attacker ran on to a neat pass from midfield by Stilić, cut inside from the right and slotted home a left-footed shot from ten metres. Nancy equalised with their first sight of goal, Malonga latching on to a cross-cum-shot from the left from Issiar Dia and side-footing a calm finish under keeper Ivan Turina.
Fatal step
Although Nancy looked dangerous every time they went forward, Lech had the majority of the possession and they retook the lead in the 22nd minute. Stilić's long, deep free-kick was comfortably taken by Bracigliano, but the captain inexplicably stepped back into his own net, with the assistant referee adjudging the ball to have crossed the line before the No1 released it.
Zerka strikes
Julien Feret and Zerka brought smart saves out of Turina before the interval, and Zerka shot straight at the Croatian four minutes into the second period. Dia and Jonathan Brison also tested the Lech custodian and the pressure finally told when Zerka raced on to a short Landry Nguemo pass and curled his shot from the angle into the far corner to secure his side a point.