SAO PAULO, Sep. 3 (Xinhua) -- Palmeiras missed a chance to extend their lead in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Bragantino.
Bragantino, winless in their previous four league outings, looked on course for an unlikely victory when goals from Luan Candido and Artur Guimaraes gave them a 2-0 lead after 35 minutes.
But the visitors pulled a goal back just before halftime courtesy of a Cleiton Schwengber own goal and Miguel Merential struck the equalizer 19 minutes from time.
The result leaves Palmeiras with 51 points from 25 games, eight points clear of second placed Flamengo. Bragantino are 10th in the 20-team standings, 19 points off the pace.
Earlier, Pablo Teixeira scored a first-half goal as Athletico Paranaense kept their slim title hopes alive with a 1-0 home win over fellow contenders Fluminense.
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Saturday, America Mineiro won 2-0 at home to Coritiba and Avai drew 1-1 at Juventude. ■
