Sporting Gijon produced a stirring second-half performance to come from behind and earn a Primera Division point against their fellow European hopefuls Deportivo La Coruna.

Nouioui Lassad gave the hosts a half-time lead, but Diego Castro equalised for Sporting - roared on by 8,000 travelling fans at Riazor.

Manuel Preciado's side drew only one league game in the whole of last season but were good value for this point.

Deportivo were denied a penalty in the second minute when Ivan Riki appeared to be caught by goalkeeper Juan Pablo.

The hosts enjoyed the bulk of the early possession, and Juan Rodriguez fired wide from 12 yards before Lassad missed a glorious chance to open the scoring.

The Tunisia forward's strength took him into the penalty area, and he shaped to shoot left-footed but mishit a dreadful effort high and wide of the goal.

Sporting responded, and Miguel de las Cuevas' long-range effort was held by goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia.

But Riki almost broke the deadlock in superb fashion soon afterwards.

Turning on the ball 25 yards out, the striker sent a fierce left-footed effort dipping over Juan Pablo but was denied a spectacular goal by the bar.

De las Cuevas again warmed Aranzubia's palms from range, before Gijon lost Michel to injury - Sergio Matabuena taking his place.

Lassad saw an improvised volley on the turn blocked by defender Arnolin Gregory - but he did not have to wait long for his goal.

Gonzalez Sergio's free-kick was headed against the bar by Juan Rodriguez, and Lassad followed up to stab home from close range.

Diego Castro curled an effort wide from 20 yards, before Alberto Rivera was denied by Antonio Tomas' block - and David Barral sent a powerful header straight at Aranzubia.

Riki threatened again, his left-footed drive fielded cleanly by Juan Pablo, but it was a rare foray up field for Depor - and their opponents levelled shortly afterwards.

Daniel Castro beat the offside trap and went through on Aranzubia, who slid recklessly straight past man and ball to leave the midfielder with the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

Lassad thought he had restored his side's lead within three minutes when he followed up to convert after Antonio Tomas' free-kick was headed against the post by Riki.

However, the linesman correctly judged that the rangy forward was offside as the header came in - and the goal was chalked off.

The visitors swept up the other end, and Daniel Castro's effort was well saved by Aranzubia. The loose ball was turned back into the box. But De las Cuevas, running on to meet it, slipped at the key moment - and the chance was gone.

Lassad headed Andres Guardado's corner over the bar, and Juan Rodriguez was foiled by Juan Pablo as the game remained all square.