Atlet Kiev produced a gutsy comeback to edge out Lozova 3-2 in a wild Ukrainian Second League encounter on Saturday evening, with all five goals arriving in a frantic opening hour. The away victory lifted Atlet into the upper half of the table, while Lozova were left to wonder how a bright first-half display ended in defeat.

Lozova fly out of the traps

The hosts made a dream start, storming into a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes. The opener came from a well-rehearsed training-ground move, a corner swept across the penalty area and headed confidently home. The second arrived after a rapid break down the left wing, with the winger finishing low across the goalkeeper.

At that stage, Lozova looked well in control. They were pressing high, winning the second balls, and had the away defence stretched. However, they failed to add a third, and that proved costly.

Atlet strike back before the break

Atlet Kiev responded with a strike against the run of play in the 33rd minute. A long diagonal ball wasn't dealt with by the home defence, and the forward volleyed brilliantly into the far corner. That goal gave the visitors belief, and they headed into the interval knowing they were very much back in the contest.

The equaliser came just seven minutes after the restart. A pinball scramble in the box eventually fell to the feet of Atlet's skipper, who drove the ball through a crowd of bodies and into the net. The momentum had shifted completely.

Late winner caps the turnaround

With the game stretched and both sides tiring, Atlet Kiev found the winner on 67 minutes. A quick counter-attack caught Lozova high up the pitch, and a composed square pass allowed the substitute to roll the ball into an empty net.

Lozova pushed forward in search of a third equaliser and created two late chances, but Atlet's defence held firm to celebrate a memorable away win.

Implications for the season

• Atlet Kiev have now won three of their last four matches and look well-placed for a promotion push.
• Lozova have lost three consecutive home matches, a worrying trend as they battle toward the mid-table.
• The match underlined the attacking nature of the Ukrainian Second League, with eight goals scored across the division this weekend.