Deportivo La Coruna produced a late fightback as Athletic Bilbao wasted a two-goal lead in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Riazor this evening.
Bilbao looked set to record their first away win of the season thanks to goals from Inaki Williams and Aritz Aduriz, but Depor managed to snatch a point as Lucas and Alejandro Arribas struck late in a dramatic finish.
It was the hosts who made the brighter start with a flurry of early attacks, and they were inches away from taking the lead when Luis Alberto curled just past the post.
Bilbao soon improved in possession and the opener arrived for the visitors on the half-hour mark when Williams capitalised on space at the back post to volley home from Mikel Balenziaga's cross.
Luis Alberto always looked the most threatening player for the home side, but he was left frustrated late in the first half as he struck the post after Lucas had been denied by Gorka Iraizoz.
Depor enjoyed more of the ball in a promising spell after the break and threatened to get back on level terms once again when Juan Dominguez fired over from the edge of the box.
The visitors retained the control, though, and they doubled their advantage when Raul Garcia's clever through-ball found Aduriz, who kept his composure to chip over an onrushing German Lux.
Bilbao looked on course for a comfortable win after Depor's Federico Cartabia wasted a good chance by dragging a shot wide from 12 yards, but the hosts were not finished as they reduced the deficit with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Lucas provided the lifeline with a moment of magic as he inadvertently blocked a shot from teammate Juanfran, before reacting quickly to send a stunning volley past Iraizoz on the turn.
An opportunity to snatch an unlikely point did arrive when the ball dropped to Oriol Riera, but he could only shoot wide of the target as Depor's hopes appeared to fade.
However, there was still time for a late twist when Cartabia earned the space to deliver a low cross which Arribas converted from close range to clinch the point for his side.
