A late goal by Mahmoud Ezzat earned Smouha a precious 1-1 draw against Zamalek on Monday, preventing the Whites from a morale-boosting win ahead of the last-day derby match with recently-crowned league champions Ahly.
A second half goal by striker Bassem Morsi gave Zamalek the lead, but a well-placed header by Smouha's defender Ezzat in the dying minutes of the game restored parity for the Alexandria-based team.
The draw left Zamalek second at the league table with 68 points, 7 behind leaders Ahly. Smouha lie at the sixth place with 52 points.
Zamalek coach Mohamed Helmi, who extended his unbeaten run to 11 games since taking over from Scottish manager Alex McLeish late in April, rested key duo wingers Mahmoud Kahraba and Mostafa Fathi for the derby.
Smouha had superiority against the goal in the first half as the Egyptian league's top scorer Hossam Salama 'Paolo' threatened the Whites' net on different occasions, but keeper Ahmed El-Shennawi made some superb stretches to keep the score level.
It was a different story after the break as Zamalek intensified their attacks seeking for the goal.
After receiving a nice pass from playmaker Mohamed Ibrahim, striker Basem Morsi amazingly chipped the ball over Smouha goalkeeper on the hour-mark to put the Whites in the lead.
Just three minutes before the final whistle, Ezzat was met a swerving cross from Ahmed Nabil "Manga" with a glancing header at the far post.
Cairo-rivals Ahly and Zamalek meet in the league's final day on Saturday. Having failed to defend their league title following last week's 2-2 draw with Masry, Zamalek will be eying a consolation win over the Reds.
