FK Panevežys rescued a point deep into the second half as substitute Marko Bacanin scored a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against FC Hegelmann in the 21st round of the Toplyga.
The opening half was played at a good tempo, with both sides enjoying possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. Panevežys looked lively through Belgian winger Isaac Asante, who was at the heart of most of the hosts’ attacking moves.
The visitors created the better opportunities before the break. Andrius Kaulinis volleyed narrowly over the crossbar from outside the penalty area, while Brazilian midfielder Wesley Freire came even closer, rattling the woodwork with a powerful effort.
Panevežys also struck the frame of the goal before half-time. Oleksandr Kurtsev turned sharply outside the box before unleashing a powerful strike that crashed against the crossbar. Asante also tested Hegelmann goalkeeper Rokas Bagdonavičius, first firing over from distance before forcing the goalkeeper into a save from a tight angle.
Heavy rain greeted the start of the second half, making conditions increasingly difficult and raising the possibility of costly mistakes. Panevežys almost capitalised when Bagdonavičius struggled to deal with Asante’s long-range free-kick, spilling the ball into a crowded penalty area. Amid the scramble, Justinas Januševskis attempted an improvised backheel finish, but the effort struck the post.
As the rain eased, Hegelmann took the lead in the 69th minute. Vedad Radonja delivered a cross into the penalty area that goalkeeper Vytautas Černiauskas failed to reach it to clear it, allowing Abdel Kader Njoya to head into an unguarded net for his ninth league goal of the season.
Panevežys pushed for an equaliser and nearly found one when Kwadwo Asamoah produced an excellent run and cross, but substitute Bacanin was unable to make contact in front of goal.
The Serbian striker made no mistake in the closing stages. Following a cross from debutant Valdas Paulauskas, who recently joined Panevežys after leaving reigning champions Kauno Žalgiris, Bacanin guided a superb header into the far corner beyond the reach of Bagdonavičius to level the score.
Neither side was able to find a winner during stoppage time as the points were shared for the second time between the clubs this season.
The draw leaves the standings unchanged, with Hegelmann and Panevežys both on 19 points in seventh and eighth place respectively. Hegelmann remain ahead only thanks to their superior head-to-head record this season.
Both sides return to action next week. Panevežys travel to reigning champions Kauno Žalgiris in league action on Saturday, while Hegelmann begin their UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign on Thursday at home against Estonian side Paide Linnameeskond.
FK Panevežys vs FC Hegelmann – 1-1 (0-0)
Goals: Bacanin 90′ | Njoya 69′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 28 | 22 | 6 | 30 |
| 2 |  FK Sūduva |
18 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 21 | 16 | 5 | 29 |
| 3 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 31 | 15 | 16 | 28 |
| 4 |  Transinvest |
17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 22 | 5 | 28 |
| 5 |  FK Banga |
18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 27 |
| 6 |  FK Žalgiris |
18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 25 |
| 7 |  FC Hegelmann |
19 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 29 | -9 | 19 |
| 8 |  FK Panevėžys |
19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 34 | -16 | 19 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
18 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 34 | -16 | 13 |
