Greece extended their lead over Turkey at the top of Euro 2008 qualifying Group C to five points thanks to Nikos Liberopoulos injury-time strike in a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Moldova.
Angelos Charisteas netted with a typical header in the first half for Otto Rehhagel's men before Viorel Frunza powered home a surprise equaliser with 10 minutes left.
But a frenetic climax to the match culminated in substitute Liberopoulos turning the ball home from close range in the fourth minute of injury time to earn three vital points for the Greeks.
The win is Greece's second home victory in four days following Saturday's 2-0 success against Hungary. Turkey lie second in the group following their 3-2 loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina last weekend.
Greece almost took an early lead after eight minutes in a bright start but Theofanis Gekas, a goalscorer on Saturday, saw his shot from close range cleared off the line by Alexandru Epureanu.
Serghei Alexeev then had the visitors' first shot on goal shortly after with Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis scrambling to his right to parry the striker's long range effort.
Greece had Nikopolidis to thank in the 27th minute though when the Olympiacos keeper rushed out and blocked Igor Bugaev's shot after he latched on to an intelligent through ball from Alexandru Gatcan's pass.
Three minutes later though Moldova were made to pay for the miss when Charisteas put Greece ahead.
The Feyenoord striker rose highest to meet Christos Patsatzoglou's left-footed, right-wing cross and glance the ball past Nicolae Calancea.
Just before half-time Gekas came close with a header which shaved the left post from Charisteas' right wing cross.
The temp of the game slowed significantly in the second half with goal scoring chances scarce as Greece looked happy to sit back and play out time.
But the home fans were stunned into silence 10 minutes from time when the visitors drew level.
Frunza, who came on as a 64th-minute substitute for Alexeev, raced on to Nicolae Josan's through ball and beat Nikopolidis at his left post with a powerful, low shot.
Rehhagel immediately brought on Bolton forward Stelios Giannakopoulos for Patsatzoglou a minute later and Greece spent the rest of the match encamped in the Moldova half.
But just as though it seemed the visitors would hold on for a draw, Liberopoulos, a 63rd-minute substitute for Gekas, reacted superbly to slot home Sotiris Kyrgiakos' flick-on with just seconds remaining.
But a frenetic climax to the match culminated in substitute Liberopoulos turning the ball home from close range in the fourth minute of injury time to earn three vital points for the Greeks.
The win is Greece's second home victory in four days following Saturday's 2-0 success against Hungary. Turkey lie second in the group following their 3-2 loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina last weekend.
Greece almost took an early lead after eight minutes in a bright start but Theofanis Gekas, a goalscorer on Saturday, saw his shot from close range cleared off the line by Alexandru Epureanu.
Serghei Alexeev then had the visitors' first shot on goal shortly after with Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis scrambling to his right to parry the striker's long range effort.
Greece had Nikopolidis to thank in the 27th minute though when the Olympiacos keeper rushed out and blocked Igor Bugaev's shot after he latched on to an intelligent through ball from Alexandru Gatcan's pass.
Three minutes later though Moldova were made to pay for the miss when Charisteas put Greece ahead.
The Feyenoord striker rose highest to meet Christos Patsatzoglou's left-footed, right-wing cross and glance the ball past Nicolae Calancea.
Just before half-time Gekas came close with a header which shaved the left post from Charisteas' right wing cross.
The temp of the game slowed significantly in the second half with goal scoring chances scarce as Greece looked happy to sit back and play out time.
But the home fans were stunned into silence 10 minutes from time when the visitors drew level.
Frunza, who came on as a 64th-minute substitute for Alexeev, raced on to Nicolae Josan's through ball and beat Nikopolidis at his left post with a powerful, low shot.
Rehhagel immediately brought on Bolton forward Stelios Giannakopoulos for Patsatzoglou a minute later and Greece spent the rest of the match encamped in the Moldova half.
But just as though it seemed the visitors would hold on for a draw, Liberopoulos, a 63rd-minute substitute for Gekas, reacted superbly to slot home Sotiris Kyrgiakos' flick-on with just seconds remaining.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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