A late equaliser by substitute Faris Ramli earned the LionsXII a 2-2 draw against Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) in a Malaysia Cup Group A game at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday night

The point, which took the hosts' tally to two points, was unable to lift them off the foot of the four-team table but it made sure Fandi Ahmad's men are still in the fight mathematically.

The Singapore outfit need to beat holders Pahang (Aug 29) and Felda United (Sep 2), both away matches, in its last two fixtures to have any chance of finishing in the top two and securing a quarter-final berth.

The hosts took the lead after just 38 seconds through midfielder Hafiz Sujad's close-range finish off striker Khairul Nizam's low cross.

But JDT II enjoyed a stroke of luck in the ninth minute when midfielder Yusof Zainal Abidin sidefooted home after a teammate mis-kicked a volley into his path.

As a Johor cross was delivered from the right flank in the 65th minute, centre-back Safuwan Baharudin did not clear the danger and allowed substitute Akmal Ishak to nod his team ahead.

But Faris had the last say with eight minute left, as his left-footed shot inside the penalty box had just enough power to beat JDT II goalkeeper Zulfadhli Mohamed.