Frederic Piquionne has struck late to give the Portland Timbers hope of overturning a two-goal deficit in the second leg of their MLS Western Conference final against Real Salt Lake.

The former Portsmouth frontman headed home in the fourth minute of injury time after the home side had built a 4-1 lead at Rio Tinto Stadium.

It was the visitors who took the lead as Will Johnson struck a brilliant 25-yard free kick against his former club in the 13th minute.

However, goals from Chris Schuler and Robbie Findley in reply saw the hosts take a 2-1 advantage into the half-time break.

Devon Sandoval capped a free-flowing counter-attack to extend the advantage in the 48th minute, and a close-range header from Javier Morales put Real firmly in control in the 82nd minute.

However, the task was made easier for Caleb Porter's men with Piquionne's late goal, which makes things interesting ahead of the return leg at Jeld-Wen Field on November 24.