The game was Petah Tikva's eighth without a win in all competitions.
By ALLON SINAIMaccabi Petah Tikva stretched its poor run of results Monday evening, drawing at home 2-2 with Ashdod SC in a Premier League match that completed Matchday 8.
The game was Petah Tikva's eighth without a win in all competitions and leaves the team in a precarious position in the league standings. Maccabi can at least comfort itself with finally managing to score a goal after it was unable to find the net in its previous three matches.
The draw was Ashdod's fifth straight game without a league win and means the team is only three points above the relegation zone.
Ashdod seized the initiative from the first whistle and was ahead after just half-a-minute. Maccabi 'keeper Ohad Cohen was unable to handle striker Shai Holtzman's shot and Idan Shriki completed the simple task of prodding the rebound into the net.
Petah Tikva recovered from the shock of conceding an early goal and prolific forward Omer Golan equalized with a header 25 minutes into the game.
After taking 30 seconds to score in the first half, Ashdod took its time in the second half and scored after 60 seconds. Holtzman ran free of his marker and beat 'keeper Cohen easily to give Ashdod the lead once more.
Nine minutes from time, Petah Tikva managed to salvage the draw. Fabrice Lokombo crossed the ball for Shai David, who headed in from three meters out. Lokombo didn't settle for the assist and was rightfully sent off in the 90th minute for a dreadful tackle.