Greece: Panathinaikos held to 1-1 draw against Asteras

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Three days after its memorable 1-0 away win over Inter Milan in the Champions League, Panathinaikos was held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw against minnows Asteras in the Greek league Saturday.

Antonis Petropoulos had given Panathinaikos the lead in the 44th minute but Adrian Bastia leveled for Asteras in the 70th.

The Athenians now have 20 points from 12 games, six behind league leader Olympiakos which hosts Panionios Sunday. Asteras has 13 points in 11th place.

Panathinaikos had controlled play from the start, missing two scoring chances when both a shot by Brazilian midfielder Mattos and a header from Petropoulos sailed over Giorgos Abaris' crossbar.

However, just before the end of the first half, Panathinaikos took the lead with a thumping header by Petropoulos from Andreas Ivanschitz's cross.

But the visitors controlled play in the second half and the pressure paid off when Asteras leveled through a low drive by Bastia from Jauad Zairi's corner.

Also on Saturday, PAOK beat last-place Thrasivoulos 2-1 with Stefanos Athanassiadis scoring the winner in second-half injury time. The win kept the Thessaloniki squad in second place with 25 points.

Also Saturday, it was: Larissa 2 Iraklis 1.

On Sunday it's: Aris vs. Panserraikos, Ergotelis vs. Xanthi, Levadiakos vs. AEK and Panthrakikos vs. OFI.

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