Slovenia round-up: Koper close on Maribor

NK Koper closed the gap on Slovenian first division leaders NK Maribor with a 3-1 away victory against lowly NK Domzale.

Sumnik dismissed
While Koper were picking up a vital three points today, Maribor could only pick up a goalless draw at home against NK Korotan. To make matters worse for Maribor, they had defender Peter Sumnik sent off in the 76th minute.

Four points behind
Koper are now just four points behind the leaders. Bekim Kapic headed them in front from Igor Benedejcic's cross after 16 minutes. Nenad Protega put the home side back on level terms just three minutes later, but Vili Becaj restored the visitors' lead in the 76th minute. Joan Sebastian Vitagliano sealed the victory a minute from time, finding the net after an assist from Andrej Tasic.

Late action
Elsewhere today, NK Šmartno and NK Rudar Velenje shared the points in a 1-1 draw. All the action came late on with Peter Plosnik giving Šmartno the lead three minutes from time with a header from Damjan Romih's centre. The visitors drew level a minute later though through Alen Mujanovic, who intercepted home goalkeeper Robert Sraga's pass and scored from close range.

Two blanks
The day's other two matches failed to produce a goal. NK Gorica were held by NK Publikum while NK Zivila Triglav could not find a way past NK Primorje.