Los Angeles kept their slim playoff hopes, despite drawing visitors New York at ones in the return of David Beckham on Thursday night.

The Red Bulls took the early impetus, with Juan Pablo Angel coming close on back-to-back rushes.

The Galaxy opened against the run of play on the quarter hour as Landon Donovan served from the left side for forward charging defender Troy Roberts to bury a lunging header at the far post.

Less than a minute later, New York evened the score on a similar play. Dave van den Bergh crossed from the left and Josmer Altidore applied the goalmouth header for his ninth goal of the season.

Angel should have done better than missing high before the break and saw a prime chance spoiled by the sliding Roberts just after. The Newcomer of the Year contender then narrowly missed with a long free kick past the hour.

Beckham emerged in the 67th minute, but a furious Galaxy rally was unable to bear fruit. Altidore fired just off frame twice over the final 10 minutes, leaving the teams knotted at the final whistle.

Scoring
LA - Troy Roberts 2 (Landon Donovan, Peter Vagenas) 15'
NY - Jozy Altidore 9 (Dave van den Bergh, Juan Pablo Angel) 16'

Line-ups
NY - Jon Conway; Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Hunter Freeman, Dave van den Bergh (Chris Leitch 46'), Dane Richards, Joe Vide, Jozy Altidore, Seth Stammler, Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 70')

LA - Joe Cannon; Chris Klein, Ante Jazic, Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph, Cobi Jones, Josh Tudela, Peter Vagenas (David Beckham 68'), Kyle Martino (Gavin Glinton 57'), Landon Donovan, Carlos Pavon (Edson Buddle 64')