Dmitri Sychev chipped the ball past Vyacheslav Malafeev to put Lokomotiv ahead after 16 minutes.

But the recalled Aleksandr Anyukov, rumoured to be on his way out of Zenit, rescued his team with 16 minutes remaining, firing home at the far post following a cross from Andrei Arshavin.

After the game Zenit coach Dick Advocaat admitted his team had played below par.

"We need to look into why we have been playing so badly", said the Dutchman.

"I don't understand why right now because this team is better than it was last year. It's a serious problem.

"But we deserved at least a draw, despite the chances created by our opponents towards the end."

Zenit are now level on 20 points with Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow, with the latter staying top of the table on goal difference.