Slovakia round-up: Slovan sink Spartak

Slovakian Superleague leaders ŠK Slovan Bratislava edged out their nearest rivals FC Spartak Trnava with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Close range
The win sees Slovan move eight points clear of their second-placed rivals after the 97th meeting between the teams. Slovan's top-scorer Róbert Vittek had to be substituted in the 30th minute through injury but this did not matter as Peter Polgár found the back of the net from close range eleven minutes later.

Kriss cross
Trnava started brightly in the second half and Vladimir Kozuch crashed into an open goal after goalkeeper Vojin Prole failed to catch Miroslav Kriss' cross. But, with three minutes remaining, Slovan broke forward and Benjamin Vomacka converted Stanislav Sesták's cross to take the crucial win.

Zilina thwarted
On Saturday, Slovan's neighbours AŠK Inter Bratislava did the league leaders a favour by securing a 3-2 win at home against title challengers MŠK Zilina. Michal Gottwald gave the visitors the perfect start by converting Martin Durica's tenth-minute cross from close range, but the lead lasted just seven minutes as Miroslav Drobnák levelled with a 12-metre drive.

Late winner
Zilina went in front for a second time on 24, and again it was Gottwald on target - converting Daniel Kosmel's cross. Five minutes later and the side's were level again, when Július Lelkes converted from the spot after Durica's handball. Juraj Halenar scored the winner eleven minutes from time, tapping in from six metres after Juraj Czinege hit the bar with the first shot.

Joy for Púchov
Elsewhere on Friday, fourth-placed ŠKM Púchov moved to within two points of Zilina with a 2-0 win at FK ZTS Dubnica. Mário Breska finished neatly from eight metres to give the visitors a third-minute lead. Dubnica had plenty of chances to equalise but found Púchov goalkeeper Tomás Bernady in inspired form. And in classic counter-attack style, Jozef Bugala wrapped up the points in stoppage time with a neat finish from 15 metres.

Second win
MŠK Ruzomberok enjoyed a second successive victory by seeing off 1. FC Košice 1-0. The visitors dominated proceedings, but had to wait until two minutes from time before wrapping up the win. Robert Rák pounced from close range after a free-kick from Rudolf Urban to continue the strugglers' recent good form.

Misery for Trencín
On Sunday, FC Artmedia Petrzalka piled more misery on basement club FK Laugaricio Trencín by beating them 4-2. Ladislav Suchanek's cross-cum-shot found its way into the net in the 21st minute to put Artmedia in front before Frantisek Sevinsky headed home from a corner to double the lead on 37. Marián Stas scored twice either side of half-time to bring the visitors level but Milan Sobona and Anton Soltis stole victory.