Amir Ghalenoiee’s side, who will try to avenge their solitary goal loss at the hands of Qatar’s Umm Salal in the AFC Champions League at home on Wednesday, sensed victory when Arash Borhani put them ahead three minutes from time but Kazem Borjlou snatched a point for Saipa in the stoppage time.
Defending champions and another ACL side Persepolis lost to Esteghlal Ahvaz 2-1 while Saba Battery went down to Mes 3-1. The only AFC Champions League side to record win in this round was Sepahan who defeated Abu Moslem 2-1.
Zob Ahan downed Malavan 3-0, thanks to goals from Farshid Talebi, Igor Castro and Mohammad Salsali.
Ibrahim Toure’s 55th minute opener for Persepolis was cancelled out by Hadi Khanifar in the 73rd minute but Mohammad Faeal denied Persepolis a point with stoppage time strike.
Hadi Aghily and Iraqi Emad Mohammed scored for Sepahan while Fereydoon Fazli’s 36th minute opener for Saba was surpassed by goals from Edinho, Majid Khodabandelo and Paulo Zaltron.
Persepolis, who are second in ACL Group B, will face Qatar’s Al Gharafa away on Tuesday while Saba Battery will take on Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in Tashkent on Wednesday. Sepahan will host Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor on Tuesday.
In other matches, Damash beat Bargh 3-1, Moghavemat lost to Payam 1-0, Peykan defeated Pas 1-0 and Rah Ahan sidelined Foolad 2-1.
STANDINGS: 1. Zob Ahan 66, 2. Esteghlal 63, 3. Mes 58, 4. Sepahan 55, 5. Persepolis 52.