Before end of encounter, draw level (4)
I believe the answer is:
tier
'level' is the definition.
('tier' can be a synonym of 'level')
'before end of encounter draw' is the wordplay.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'end of' suggests the final letters.
'draw' becomes 'tie' ('tie' can be a synonym of 'draw').
The last letter of 'encounter' is 'r'.
'r' put after 'tie' is 'TIER'.
(Other definitions for tier that I've seen before include "band" , "Layer, rank" , "Rite about layer" , "Bank - row" , "Rite for a rank" .)