Athletic Bilbao will have to wait to book their place in the last 32 of the Europa League after being held by Nacional in Group L.

The Spaniards dominated the game but Nacional took the lead through Edgar's 64th minute penalty.

But after Miguel Nuno Pinto was sent off 11 minutes from time, Athletic finally made the breakthrough with Joseba Exteberria equalising from the penalty spot.

However, a point is not enough for Athletic to go through just yet as they sit five points above Austria Vienna with two games to go.

Athletic, showing flashes of the flair which has marked their play so often this season, began brightly, but Igor Gabilondo saw his early shot saved by Rafael Bracali.

Andoni Iraolo fired wide from the edge of the area before Bracali made a fine save to push Xabier Castillo's shot over the bar.

Moments later, Fernando Llorente struck the post but still they could not find a way past the goalkeeper.

The first half ended with Nacional on the attack, but Gorka Iraizoz held Ruben Micael's header.

Bracali was kept busy in the second half too, with David Lopez testing him early on with a couple of shots from the edge of the area.

The hosts broke forward just before the hour mark, but Micael's shot was saved before Aldekoaotalora Ustaritz charged down a drive from Luis Alberto.

Moments later, the hosts took a shock lead.

Having been on the back foot for so long, they were gifted the opportunity when Iraizoz fouled Nejc Pecnik in the area and Edgar placed the penalty inside the right-hand post.

The goal seemed to stun Athletic, and they struggled to get going again.

However, they were given hope in the 79th minute when Nuno Pinto received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in bringing down Joseba Etxeberria.

With the extra man, it would not take them long to get level.

It came in the 85th minute and, like Nacional's opener, arrived from the penalty spot.

Rafik Halliche hauled down Diaz de Cerio and Etxeberria stepped up to fire into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal.

Athletic were now looking for a winner, and Bracali had to make a fine save to keep out Carlos Gurpegi's header.

The goalkeeper then used his feet to repel De Cerio's shot as they settled for a draw.

Teams:

Nacional Bracali, Patacas, Halliche, Felipe Lopes, Tomasevic (Cleber 46), Pecnik, Luis Alberto (Aurelio 68), Ruben Micael, Mateus (Leandro Salino 46), Edgar, Nuno Pinto.

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Edgar Costa, Anselmo, Pacheco.

Sent Off: Nuno Pinto (79).

Booked: Pecnik, Nuno Pinto, Edgar, Cleber.

Goals: Edgar 64 pen.

Athletic Bilbao Iraizoz, Iraola, Ustaritz, Amorebieta, Castillo, David Lopez (Diaz de Cerio 60), Gurpegi, Javi Martinez (Orbaiz 70), Gabilondo, Etxeberria,Llorente (De Marcos 40).

Subs Not Used: Armando, Etxeita, San Jose, Perez.

Booked: Javi Martinez, Iraizoz, Gurpegi, Etxeberria.

Goals: Etxeberria 85 pen.

Att: 7,500

Ref: William Collum (Scotland).