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Fernandinho's second-half equaliser gave Shakhtar Donetsk a 1-1 away draw against Dynamo Kiev in their all-Ukrainian UEFA Cup semi-final first leg.

Defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy had earlier deflected in Olexandr Aliyev's free kick to give the hosts a well-deserved 22nd-minute lead as they dominated the first-half of a tight, nervous match.

But a revitalised Shakhtar side took the fight to their hosts with a spirited comeback in the second period, and the Brazilian's 68th-minute close-range finish from Willian's cross was just reward for their efforts.

Shakhtar's second-half performance and away goal will make them clear favourites to progress next week, making them the first Ukrainian side to play in the UEFA Cup final.

The match got off to a relatively cagey start, each side seemingly more concerned with not conceding the first goal than with attempting to open up the opposition.

And while early chances were very limited, it was Dynamo who looked most likely to make something happen, with the powerful free-kicks of playmaker Aliyev always seeming a threat and young striker Artem Milevskiy forcing a save from Andriy Pyatov on 14 minutes.

It was from a free-kick that the breakthrough came as Aliyev fired in a ball from the right-hand side of the pitch that flicked off Ismael Bangoura before deflecting in off the shin of Chygrynskiy at the far post.

The own-goal stung the visitors in to action, and from having offered no attacking intention at all in the opening few minutes Shakhtar began to make incursions into their opponents' half.

The closest they came was in a couple of efforts just after the half-hour mark.

First, Brazilian winger Fernandinho controlled a long ball well and drew a good save from Stanislav Bogush with his right-foot effort from the edge of the box.

Then, two minutes later, Jadson put Ariano through on Bogush , but the Kiev keeper closed him down well to snuff out the danger.

Dynamo's defence clicked into action after the close calls, however, and it was the second half before either team had another chance.

And the remaining chances mostly fell to the visitors, who upped the tempo hugely as they produced an improved second-half display.

Pushing for an equaliser, they consistently put the Dynamo defence under pressure, and after patiently probing their reward came on 68 minutes.

The Brazilian duo of Jadson and Willian combined on the right, the latter putting in a ball in for compatriot Fernandinho who had run in to the edge of the six-yard box.

Shakhtar might have had more as captain Darijo Srna was effective in putting in good balls for his attack force, but Kiev also had their moments - and very nearly earned a victory with a couple of excellent chances.

Milevskiy - in excellent form throughout - had a header which flew wide, but seemed to have earned the winner on 78 minutes as he danced brilliantly through the Shakhtar defence to release Aliyev with the keeper to beat from eight yards.

But the ball bounced awkwardly for the playmaker, allowing the defence to clear. It would be the last clear chance of the match, the stalemate ensuring that Dynamo will have to go on the offensive in next week's second leg if they are to have any chance of making the final.

Toby Keel / Eurosport