A second-half goal by Bilal Mohammed saved Al Markhiya’s blushes as the relegated side held Umm Salal to a 1-1 draw in Week 22 of the QNB Stars League at the Al Ahli Stadium on Sunday.

Mahmoud Mawas opened the scoring for Umm Salal in just the second minute, clipping a loose ball into the net from close range as Al Markhiya goalkeeper Muntata Khuroob could not effect a save. It was the Syrian’s third goal of the season.

In the 11th minute, Al Markhiya’s Leonardo de Souza attempted a bicycle kick from the edge of the box, but his feeble shot was easily pocketed by Umm Salal goalkeeper Baba Malick, who had a good game.

In the 21st, Umm Salal’s Ramy Fayez was booked for bringing down Eric de Oliveira with a rough sliding tackle that was quickly noted by referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim.

Al Markhiya’s Saleh Badr Al Yazidi unleashed a superbly-taken curling left-footed drive close to the half-hour mark that was punched by a diving Malick. Surprisingly, The Oryxes had more of the ball by the end of first half.

Umm Salal had a good chance to increase the lead, but Mahir Issa completely mistimed his snap-header before an open goal with keeper Muntata embarrassingly out of position.

Bilal drew level for Al Markhiya in the 73rd minute with a snap-header from close range, causing Umm Salal to lose ground in their bid for the fourth position.