Magomed Mitrishev’s double held Bosnian side Zeljeznicar to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday. Twice Akhmat took the lead, and twice they were pegged back.

The first half was a relatively uneventful affair in the driving rain. Ablaye Mbengue headed a harmless effort over the bar, while Zeljeznicar’s finishing was even more wayward.

Mitrishev gave Akhmat the lead two minutes into the second half with a thumping volley past the keeper. Zeljeznicar twice sliced through Akhmat’s defence in response; first missing a swinging cross from five yards, then hitting the inside of the far post.

They eventually equalised having pressured Akhmat’s defence into surrendering possession and finishing into an empty net after clever combination play. After 70 minutes Lechiy Sadulaev sliced past three hapless defenders to tee up Mitrishev to smash in his second at the second attempt.

A tidy finish by Semir Stilic late on levelled matters.

Akhmat 2-2 Zeljeznicar
5 February, Belek, Turkey
Akhmat goals: Mitrishev 47’, 70’

Akhmat: Gudiev (Melikhov 46’), Adamov, Angel (Nizic 46’ (Nenakhov 62’ (Gigolaev75’))), Karmaev, Kharin, Gashchenkov (Ponce 62’), Khakiev, Sadulaev, Kh. Kadyrov, Mitrishev, Mbengue