Pierikos took the lead, PAOK reacted immediately, and then piled on the pressure for another goal. However, that goal was not forthcoming and the match remained 1-1. The game started with Pierikos surprising PAOK with a lively opening and scoring in only in the second minute through a side-footed effort from Papadopoulos, who took advantage of a defensive error by the home side. Of course, the Double-headed Eagle responded quickly, and the hosts were level in the 11th minute, when Koutsias cut in from the left, squared the ball for Tzimas, who scored from close range to equalize.

From that moment on, it was PAOK who took control, especially from the half-hour mark when the home side were a constant threat to the Pierikos goal. On two occasions, Pierikos goalkeeper Tzimas managed to clear the danger before the PAOK attackers managed to latch on to dangerous crosses from Tsopouroglou in the 34th minute, and Tsaousis in the 36th minute. PAOK then came close to scoring in the 41st minute, but Koulierakis’ header did not find the back of the net.

This pattern of play continued into the second half with PAOK pressing for a winning goal. The closest the home side came to getting it was when Gaitanidis hit the woodwork in the 85th minute with a header. Before that, Panidis had an effort cleared off the line by a visiting defender in the 47th minute, and there was still time for last chance at the end, but Koutsias’ 90th-minute shot did not find the net.

Team lineups:

PAOK: Bourganis, Apostolopoulos, Koulierakis, Panagiotou, Tsaousis (82′ Kaloutsikidis), Giaxis, Soares, Tsopouroglou, Koutsias, Tzimas (65′ Gaitanidis), Panidis (65′ Koulouris)

Pierikos: Tzimas, Krimitsas (61′ Zourkos), Gialamidis, Koukolis, Topalidis, Panteliadis, Itsios (80′ Karanatsios), Papadopoulos, Dinas (61′ Fokaidis), Hartsias, Bouoli.