The league leaders went ahead twice but conceded a last-gasp goal to settle for a draw that halted their four-match winning run.

The result also allowed defending champions Ahli, who played two games less than Zamalek, to close to within one point of their arch rivals after another late victory over a resolute ENPPI side.

However, Hassan, who shoulders the hopes of ending Zamalek's six-year league drought, said he was pleased with the attitude of his players.

"Of course I'm not satisfied with the result but I'm satisfied with the determination and spirit my players showed against Gaish," the Egypt's all-time leading scorer told FilGoal.com.

"Such spirit was not present before. We were not used to seeing Zamalek players fight for every ball like that."

Zamalek, who have not won any title since their 2008 Egyptian Cup triumph, next face Ismaili in a rescheduled league game on Wednesday.

Ismaili are suffering from inconsistency but they are still likely to offer a stern test for Zamalek.

The White Knights will have to do without marksman Amr Zaki, who has yet to recover from a niggling knee injury.

"I will never rush Zaki back into action. He should be 100% percent fit to play," Hassan added.

"We need him in this crucial period but we have several alternatives to make up for his absence.

"We are focusing on the game against Ismaili to maintain our league leadership."