Everton 1 Metalist Kharkiv 1:Andrew Johnson has not scored since March 18th, and on a night of high European drama the England striker missed two penalties - one twice taken - to give Everton a mountain to climb when they go to the Ukraine for the second-leg of this Uefa Cup tie in a fortnight.

Metalist had two men sent-off in a crazy ending to this clash, Oleksandr Babych and Seweryn Gancarczyk, but even with nine men against them, Everton could not clinch this game.

They went ahead in the first half through Joleon Lescott, and with mayhem going on at the other end they conceded a late equaliser to Brazilian midfielder Venans Zeze .

Everton suffered heart-ache in the Champions League and Uefa Cup two seasons ago and could now be facing more European anguish in the second leg.

Lee Carsley returned in place of Phil Jagielka while Johnson was passed fit following a groin problem. "The killer goal is the away goal in Europe," said Everton captain Phil Neville afterwards. "You can play well and be caught with the sucker punch."

Of the retaken penalty that Johnson missed, he added: "At the time I thought their players went into the box. It's disappointing but are they interfering with play? I don't think so."

The first spot-kick was given on 68 minutes when Oleksandr Babych was penalised for pulling down Lescott in the box. Kharkiv were furious and Seweryn Gancarczyk was sent-off for arguing.

Johnson then fired the penalty home, only to be made to take it again because of encroachment. Second time around he saw his second effort saved.

Then, two minutes from time Johnson amazingly wasted another spot-kick, firing high over after Babych had pulled down Anichebe.

The Metalist defender, booked for the first penalty he conceded, was shown another yellow and then red for this offence.

EVERTON: Wessels, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Carsley (Jagielka 79), Neville, McFadden, Johnson, Yakubu (Anichebe 65). Subs not used: Stubbs, Nuno Valente, Jutkiewicz, Ruddy, Vidarsson. Booked: Anichebe. Goals: Lescott 24.

FC METALIST KHARKIV: Goryainov, Bordiyan, Babych, Gancarczyk, Obradobic, Guie, Slysur, Valiaev, Devic, Nwoha (Antonov 59), Rykun (Zeze 67), Antonov (Mahdoufi 77). Subs not used: Danilav, Anton, Davydov, Thumak. Sent off: Gancarczyk (69), Babych (89). Booked: Obradobic, Bordiyan, Babych. Goals: Zeze 78. Att: 37,120.

Referee: Fritz Stuchlik (Austria).