Kianoush Rahmati put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot just after the hour mark only for Ahmed Iyad to restore parity 19 minutes from time to keep the visitors' hopes of progressing alive.

Ebrahim Sadeghi came close to putting Saipa ahead seven minutes before half-time when his shot hit the post via the back of team-mate Amir Vaziri.

Ali Daei's side did take the lead in the 63rd minute, Rahmati making no mistake from 12 yards following Mokhalad Ali's foul on Sadeghi.

The advantage lasted barely eight minutes, however, before Iyad levelled matters with a cool left-footed finish past Rahman Ahmadi after being put in by a neat chip from Haitham Kadhum.

Al Quwa Al Jawiya striker Iyad then had a chance to nick it for the away team from a similar opportunity, but this time his effort was kept out by Ahmadi.

Saipa could then have clinched all three points deep into stoppage time, but Karim Ansari's shot was well blocked by Wisam Kassid.