Hodoud, who won three successive matches prior to their game against Masri, remain sixth in the 20-team table with 14 points.

Tarek Al-Ashri's side have a chance to further move up if they win their three rescheduled games.

Masri, who improved recently following a dismal run of results, lie in ninth spot with 12 points.

The visitors took a surprising lead in the first minute when forward Mohamed Al-Gabbas took advantage of a dreadful error by Hodoud defender Ahmed Saied.

Saied mis-hit his clearance to allow Gabbas gather the ball inside the area. The former Newcastle youth player drilled home with aplomb.

Hodoud piled on pressure in a bid to restore parity and they were unlucky not to do so when Abdul-Hamid Bassiouni's close-range header struck the post.

Masri paid the price for an overly cautious defensive approach when midfielder Mohamed Halim notched the equalizer nine minutes before the break.

He was found unmarked by Ahmed Eid's pass after a goal-mouth scramble to slot home from six yards out.

Hodoud's maintained their domination in the second period but failed in their attempts to score the decisive goal.