Cork come back to level UEFA Cup qualifier

Cork City 2 FC Haka 2

Cork came from 2-0 down to gives themselves hope for the second leg of this UEFA Cup first qualifying round tie following a thrilling first leg before 4,000 fans at Turner's Cross.

A physically big and well-organised Haka were the better side in the first half and stole the lead on 15 minutes.

Cork hesitated as they looked for a throw-in and striker Janne Mahlakaarto ran at and easily beat Pat Sullivan to side foot past Michael Devine for a fine goal.

Liam Kearney came close to levelling two minutes before the break, but his crisp right-foot shot was brilliantly turned round a post by Russian keeper Alexander Dovbnya.

But Haka scored again on 52 minutes when further poor defending was punished with Toni Lehtinen working a one-two to shoot home.

Prolific Dave Mooney got a goal back on 63 minutes when shooting to the net following a good run and cross from Danny Murphy.

Murphy then supplied the free-kick for skipper Dan Murray to head the equaliser three minutes later.

Dovbnya made another good save to touch Murray's header onto the bar while Neal Horgan volleyed against bar in the final minute as the Finns hung on to stay in the driving seat ahead of the return in Valkeakoski in a fortnight.