STRASBOURG, France — Lens missed a chance to top Ligue 1 after fighting back from a goal down to draw at Strasbourg 1-1 on Friday.
Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelli scored for the third game in a row to put the home side ahead after 18 minutes at Stade de la Meinau.
Panichelli's 14th goal of the season tied him with Mason Greenwood at the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring chart.
Lens fought back to equalize 17 minutes into the second half through Mamadou Sangare. A corner kick was cleared to Sangare's feet and his first-time drive flew through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner.
It was only the second draw in the league for Lens, which was the better team in the second half but found Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders in top form.
A win would have taken Lens a point clear of league leader and reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain. However, it remained a point behind in second place, having played one game more. PSG plays at Le Havre on Saturday.
Strasbourg climbed into seventh place in the league. The team has lost only two of its last 14 matches in all competitions.