The point gained did not disguise what, for the United boss, was yet another dismal performance away from home in the Champions League.

"We were lucky to draw, very lucky to draw," he readily confessed.

"Panathinaikos made a lot of chances in the game and should have beaten us by three or four goals.

"I think the reason was from our point of view, we started badly and never got going.

"Once they scored we were far too loose and we didn't show much patience about ourselves in that respect.

"In the second half we gambled a lot with the consequence that we could have had a real spanking, a real beating.

"You always hope a goal will come and the one quality we have always had is the ability to keep going and never give in.

"But I think that is the only thing I can take out of this game and a draw was very fortunate for us."

The only reason Panathinaikos did not add to Giorgios Seitaridis' 24th-minute opener in the Spiros Louis stadium was Fabien Barthez and the Frenchman was outstanding.

He produced save after save to limit the Greeks to just the one goal before Scholes pounced for the equaliser.

Ferguson said: "I think he proved he's the finest goalkeeper in the world.

"It was quite amazing the saves he made and he's the reason why we got a point out of it."

Scholes' sixth Champions League goal, which makes him joint top scorer in the competition, effectively booked United's place in the quarter-finals.

They are second in Group A on goal difference to Valencia and anything better than a 2-0 defeat at home to Sturm Graz in their final game next Tuesday will be enough to see them through.

Panathinaikos' hopes of qualifying ended with last week's home defeat against Graz and new coach Stratos Apostolakis was understandably delighted with his side's showing.

The Greek side were transformed from the team which had lost five of their last seven games.

Apostolakis said: "This was a very good day for Panathinaikos and for Greek soccer.

"The players played very well and they found the strength and the power to play like we saw.

"However we still have the bitter taste of their last-minute goal.

"But what really matters is that image of our team is good again."