Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly failed to take full advantage of Zamalek's slip-up after they were held to a 1-1 draw by El Gouna on Friday evening.
Zamalek were held to a 2-2 draw by Al Mokwaloon on Thursday, presenting the Red Devils with a good chance to cut their lead at the top to one point.
Mohamed Kahraba had a chance to give the Red Devils a perfect start in the fourth minute after combining with Mohamed Sherif just outside the box, but his looping strike was saved by goalkeeper Islam Tarek.
The hosts kept on probing and Hussein El Shahat came close to finding the breakthrough in the 18th minute after finding space in the box but his shot missed agonisingly wide.
Mosimane was forced to make a change six minutes before the break after centre-back Saad Samir went down injured and was replaced by fellow defender Yasser Ibrahim, as the first stanza ended goalless.
Mosimane looked to effect the game from the bench with a double change at half-time, as Taher Mohamed replaced Kahraba while Kafsha came on for Maher.
Taher Mohamed eventually broke the deadlock for the Red Devils just before the hour-mark with a screamer from long range.
Kafsha came close to doubling Al Ahly's lead in the last quarter of an hour after he was teed up by Taher Mohamed on the right side of the box although Tarek was on hand to make the save.
With the visitors pressurising the Red Devils in the dying minutes, Mohamed Naguib snatched the equaliser in the last four minutes with a header from Amr El Saadawy's cross.
Al Ahly were unable respond with little time left and had to settle for the share of spoils, leaving the side in second place, three points behind Zamalek with two games in hand.
