Ignacio Scocco’s hat-trick last weekend closed Newell’s Old Boys to within three points of Boca Juniors but his efforts in Paraná on Friday evening were only enough to earn La Lepra a point against Patronato.

Fernando Telechea’s close range header that came off the underside of the crossbar and clearly over the goalline gave the home side the lead late in the first half but it wasn’t long after the break for Newell’s to force an equaliser.

Scocco raced in behind, clipped the ball over Sebastián Bértoli and the despairing dive of Walter Andrade could only help the ball into the net for an unfortunate own-goal.

Neither side could find a winner although Patronato were grateful to Bértoli for ensuring that and it meant Newell’s would remain in second, two points off the top.

Patronato  1 – 1  Newell’s Old Boys