Czechs rescued at the death

A late, late equaliser in Skopje this afternoon ensured the Czech Republic remain in second place in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 1.

Home team in front
The home side took a 34th-minute lead through Aleksandar Stojanovski after good work by Vlatko Grozdanovski, but the bulk of the excitement came in the last eight minutes.

Seconds remaining
Czech substitute Aleš Besta equalised in the 82nd minute only for Macedonian defender Vlade Lazarevski to restore the home side's lead a minute later with a fine individual goal. Five minutes into stoppage time, however, Lukáš Magera volleyed home from ten metres to rescue a point for the Czechs and leave F.Y.R. Macedonia despondent.

Next up
They remain in fourth place in the group and next meet the Netherlands on 29 March, four days before the Czechs welcome Finland.