FCK leave it late to deny Hannover

FC København twice came from behind to earn a valuable draw away against Hannover 96, with César Santin's last-gasp leveller denying the home side the outright lead of UEFA Europa League Group B. Christian Pander pounced on a mistake by Claudemir to put Hannover ahead with 29 minutes gone before Dame N'Doye levelled matters midway through the second half. Sergio Pinto's strike nine minutes from time then looked to be enough to send the hosts top of the section, but Santin struck late on to deny Mirko Slomka's side. Hannover started brightly and tested Johan Wiland twice in quick succession, first when Pander unleashed from long range and then when Didier Konan Ya forced him into a fine save low to his left. FCK attempted to stifle their opponents' attacking threat in the early stages and the plan worked a treat until 29 minutes, when Claudemir's misplaced pass found Pander, who opened the scoring. Jan Schlaudraff almost doubled the home side's advantage soon after, but his delicate chip was blocked by the onrushing Wiland. After the break, the Bundesliga outfit failed to create any clear-cut chances and seemed to ease off, which left FCK sensing their opportunity. They grabbed it by drawing level on 67 minutes as N'Doye rose above goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler to bury the equaliser. Sergio Pinto's effort from 30 metres then found a way past Wiland and appeared set to earn the hosts a crucial victory. FCK were not to be denied, though, and Santin's mazy run and cool finish dashed Hannover's hopes of leapfrogging R. Standard de Liège – held to a goalless draw at home to FC Vorskla Poltava – at the top of the section.