Monaco rally from two goal deficit to secure draw versus Auxerre

Monaco appeared shaken from their recent 4-1 defeat to Paris FC, allowing Auxerre to score first with their initial attempt on target.

Auxerre cleared a corner to the edge of the penalty area where Kevin Danois unleashed a brilliant volley into the bottom corner.

Maghnes Akliouche tried to respond for the home side, yet his shot was easily gathered by Donovan Leon.

Auxerre kept pressing, and Lukas Hradecky smartly diverted Fredrik Oppegards effort over the bar.

The away team extended their lead past the 30 minute mark, with Hradecky at fault for allowing Lassine Sinayokos strike to slip beneath him.

Monaco escaped further trouble before halftime, as Sy Diomandes header from a corner clipped the top of the net.

The hosts showed fight after the interval, forcing Leon to tip Jordan Tezes curling shot away early on.

Still, Leon was powerless to stop Ansu Fati from outside the box, as the attacker slotted home to reduce the arrears following a pass from Akliouche.

Monaco got a stroke of fortune before the hour, winning a spot kick when Leon felled Folarin Balogun.

Balogun converted the penalty, etching his name in history as only the fifth player this century to net in eight straight Ligue 1 games.

Six of his past eight strikes have arrived after halftime, and he nearly added another by firing into the far corner from an acute angle, though it was ruled out for offside.

Auxerre took another hit late on with Leon sidelined by injury, but they managed to cling on for a point that may prove vital in their fight against the drop, holding a six point cushion over Nantes in the relegation zone.

Monaco stay just shy of European qualification spots, though they can take heart from their comeback spirit in this match.