Slovakia round-up: Zilina stay in touch

Second-placed MŠK Zilina kept their title hopes alive with a crucial 1-0 win at home to Superliga leaders ŠK Slovan Bratislava.

Durica decisive
Zilina gained revenge for the 4-1 defeat by Slovan in the Slovensky Pohár in midweek and closed the gap at the top of the table to six points. Martin Durica was heavily involved, scoring the only goal of the game after 62 minutes, and then being dismissed ten minutes later. Earlier, Slovan's Michal Demeter and Zilina captain Marek Mintal had both been dismissed in the first half.

Petrzalka win
Third-placed FC Artmedia Petrzalka stayed in touch with the top two with a narrow 1-0 win at local rivals AŠK Inter Bratislava, with Tomáš Medved scoring the only goal of the game four minutes into the second half.

Home success
FC Spartak Trnava maintained their challenge for a UEFA Cup place with a 2-0 win at home to MŠK Ruzomberok. Peter Hodúr opened the scoring for the home team after 36 minutes, and a second from Dušan Bestvina four minutes after half-time sealed the victory.

Free-kick opener
At the other end of the table, Czech forward Pavel Kulig gave 1. FC Košice the lead with a spectacular free-kick after 33 minutes, but visitors ŠKM Púchov earned a draw 14 minutes from time through Ivan Belák, and the home side nearly snatched victory in the final stages, as Juraj Škripec's effort hit a post.

Away victory
Meanwhile, goals from Pavol Straka and Michal Otočka gave FK Laugaricio Trencín a 2-1 win away to FK ZTS Dubnica, who had equalised through midfield player Peter Ďuriš.