F.Y.R. Macedonia: Three level at the top

FK Vardar moved level on points with FK Pobeda and FK Rabotnicki at the top of the Prva Fudbalska Liga with a 2-1 victory over FK Sileks on Sunday.

Leaders held
Mario Petkov scored the winner 14 minutes from time as Vardar join Rabotnicki, who comfortably beat FK Osogovo 4-0 on Saturday, and leaders Pobeda, who were held at home by FK Sloga Jugomagnat, on 32 points after 17 Macedonian Premier League games.

Memorable effort
Risto Bozinov put Vardar in front on the half hour when he turned the ball home from close range after good work by Dragan Nacevski. Ivica Gligorovski equalised in the 62nd minute, scoring with a memorable 20-metre effort. Bulgarian striker Petkov had the final say when he came off the bench to give his side all three points, though Sileks felt that he was offside.

Surprise defeat
FK Belasica GC remain fourth despite slumping to a surprise 1-0 defeat at FK Pelister, with Dragan Dimitrovski scoring the winning goal. Sloga are a further point behind but they will be thankful for a point at the Goce Delcev stadium after Blagojce Georgievski missed a penalty for the league leaders.

Five-minute hat-trick
FK Cementarnica 55 substitute Zanko Savov struck a five-minute hat-trick as his side beat FK Kumanovo 6-0. Savov scored in the 77th, 80th and 82nd minutes to put the seal on a comprehensive victory for Cementarnica. Vlatko Grozdanovski, Dejan Dimitrovski and Goran Trpkovski put the hosts in charge with first-half goals before Savov's late treble.

Came from behind
Igor Angeleski scored twice as FK Napredok came from behind to win 2-1 at home to FK Makedonija Skopje in Sunday's remaining game. Igor Kralevski put the visitors ahead but Angeleski hit back, netting after 17 and 25 minutes.