Lifeline for Caroliners: South China grab late equaliser to stay alive in the AFC Cup quarter-finals

New signing Nikola Komazec gave South China a lifeline on Tuesday night, describing his ­crucial stoppage-time equaliser as “beautiful” in an AFC Cup quarter-final first leg against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Tazim.

The tense match at Mong Kok Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.

In a high-tempo encounter, which saw players from both sides tangle in an ugly pushing and shoving clash late in the match, the Serbian striker earned the biggest cheers of the night from the 3,700-strong crowd when he crashed home the equaliser three minutes into injury time.

Second-half substitute Lam Hok-hei glanced the ball back into the penalty area and Komazec, who had been a threat up front throughout the game, hooked a half volley from close range to find the all-important equaliser.

WATCH: Highlights from South China v Johor Darul Tazim