Firas Al Khatib gave Al Qadsia the lead before Ilnur Khasigaliev equalised midway through the second-half.

The result leaves Al Qadsia five points ahead of their hosts who in turn lead Al Ittihad by one point although the Syrians are due to play basement side Al Saqr later.

Shurtan started well, with returning captain Igor Taran unleashing a second-minute shot that was saved by experienced Al Qadsia goalkeeper Nawaf Al Khaldi.

Avaz Agaliev then unleashed an attempt from outside the area that went wide and Ilnur Khazigaliev tested Al Khaldi as the Uzbekistan side dominated.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead as the breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time.

Al Khatib ran with the ball and held off three defenders before shooting from outside the area with a strike that Georgian goalkeeper Mikheil Alavidze was unable to keep out.

Despite the blow of conceding after having been the dominant team, Edgar Gess’ side set about their visitors from the start of the second period.

Shortly after the break midfielder Alexander Merzlyakov went down in the penalty area after a collision with a defender. However, the referee was unmoved and didn’t award the spot kick.

Al Qadisia went up the other end and almost doubled their lead but Alavidze was equal to Hamad Al Enazi’s shot.

Al Khaldi was inspired in the visitors’ goal, saving from Vadim Afonin before the woodwork came to their rescue when substitute Jafar Irimetov’s shot came back off the post.

Shurtan’s pressure finally paid off, though, in the 70th minute.

Predrag Vujovic initiated a move, laying the ball to substitute Sadriddin Abdullaev who in turn found Khazigaliev with the midfielder converting for a deserved leveller.

Shurtan had a late chance to win the match but Irismetov’s header was saved by Al Khaldi with just four minutes to go.

The result sent Al Qadisia into the next round with three wins and two draws from their five games.

Shurtan now have to fight for second spot with Al Ittihad but have a good chance of progressing given they play bottom side Al Saqr in their final game next Wednesday.