Slovakia round-up: Slovan maintain advantage

ŠK Slovan Bratislava maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the Slovakian Super League at the weekend despite being held to a 2-2 home draw by third-placed MŠK Zilina.

Spartak miss chance
The draw opened up the chance for FC Spartak Trnava, currently second, to close the gap but they could only manage a 1-1 draw at MŠK Ruzomberok.

Mintál equaliser
League leaders Slovan took a fifth-minute lead through to Benjamin Vomácka, who scored from close range after a corner. Zilina responded just three minutes later, however, when Marek Mintál converted Martin Durica's fine left-wing cross. Zilina then stunned the home crowd six minutes into the second half by taking a 2-1 lead through Michael Gottwald, but Slovan eventually pulled level in the 71st minute when Ján Slahor scored from Eduard Hrncár's cross.

Fall spares blushes
Spartak needed a 75th-minute equaliser from Souleymane Fall to seal a point at Ruzomberok. The hosts started superbly, taking the lead after just 30 seconds when Robert Rak turned in Marián Kurty's centre, but Fall was on hand to secure a share of the spoils in a hard-fought encounter.

Victory for Púchov
ŠKM Púchov consolidated their position in fourth thanks to a 1-0 home win over 1. FC Košice. The decisive moment came in the 21st minute when, after good work from Púchov's Jozef Bugala and Ivan Belák, Juraj Beno put the ball into his own net.

Inter undone
FC Artmedia Petrzalka also won by a single-goal margin, overcoming the challenge of AŠK Inter Bratislava when Milos Sobona's 81st-minute goal sank the visitors. In the weekend's other match, FK Laugaricio Trencín beat FK ZTS Dubnica 3-1 at the Mestský stadium.