JOHOR: The LionsXII came away with a gutsy 2-2 draw against Johor Darul Takzim on Tuesday.

Hariss Harun scored with a ferocious volley after just four minutes before Italian midfielder Simone del Nero headed home an equaliser seven minutes later.

Centre-back Baihakki Khaizan put the Singapore club ahead again in the 38th minute, off Shahril Ishak's free-kick, to silence the 30,000 home fans in Johor's Larkin Stadium.

But Malaysian international striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha rescued a point for the home side, coached by former Singapore striker Fandi Ahmad, when his 25m grounder crept into the bottom corner with eight minutes left.