Asteras Tripolis and AEK Athens played out a 1-1 draw in Tripoli, as Marko Nikolic's side dropped two more points just days after being held 1-1 by Kifisia.
AEK started the game looking to attack early, with Zini firing a shot in the third minute that did not trouble Asteras goalkeeper Hatzimanouil. In the tenth minute, Marin failed to make the most of an indirect free kick won by his team.
Defensively, though, Nikolic's side was shaky. Asteras had their first attempt in the 11th minute when Ketu's effort was saved by AEK goalkeeper Brignoli, before Relvas cut out a shot from Bartolo in the 19th minute after a mistake by Marin.
Own goal puts AEK ahead
AEK took the lead two minutes later despite the pressure. Mayer picked out Rota with a well timed pass, Rota pulled the ball back across goal, and Laskaris, attempting to clear the danger, turned it into his own net to make it 0-1.
The lead lasted only until the 31st minute. Moukoundi made a heavy error, allowing Makenda to collect the ball and feed Bartolo, who slotted home the equaliser for 1-1. AEK tried to respond before half time, with Zini and Pilios both failing to finish off good openings.
Second half chances go begging
Nikolic made his first changes early in the second half, replacing Ariaga and Gacinovic with Varga and Koita. The Hungarian forward thought he had put AEK back in front in the 59th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Asteras came close to taking the lead in the 64th minute when Bartolo struck a powerful shot from inside the box, only for Brignoli to produce a strong save. The AEK goalkeeper was called into action again in the 76th minute, keeping out another powerful effort from inside the area, this time from Mendez.
Jovic misses late chances
The match was not going AEK's way, and the visitors pushed hard in the closing stages, creating two big chances in the 87th and 88th minutes through Jovic. The Serbian striker could not find the net from close range on either occasion, and the score stayed at 1-1 until the final whistle.
AEK are one of Greece's most decorated clubs, with a long history of domestic league and cup success, while Asteras Tripolis are based in the city of Tripoli in the Arcadia region of the Peloponnese. The draw means Nikolic's side have now gone two matches without a win in the league.
Lineups
Asteras Tripolis (Giorgos Antonopoulos): Hatzimanouil, Silva, Brorsson, Laskaris, Kotsiras, Mendez, Kourbelis (Bouzoukis 74'), Eder, Bartolo (Terezziou 92'), Ketu, Makenda (Ricardinho 74').
AEK (Marko Nikolic): Brignoli, Pilios, Relvas, Moukoundi, Rota, Marin, Ariaga (Varga 52'), Gacinovic (Koita 52'), Mayer, Zini (Mantalos 88'), Jovic.
