Armenia round-up: Spartak move into third

FC Spartak Yerevan climbed to third in the Armenian Premier League today with a 3-1 win at FC Shirak, a result that lifted them above their hosts.

Quick goals
After a scoreless first half, Artur Kocharyan broke the deadlock with a strike ten minutes after the restart, and Ara Hakobyan made it 2-0 three minutes after the hour. Ararat Harutyunyan gave Shirak a lifeline four minutes from time, but Hakobyan made sure that all three points would go to the visitors with his second goal a minute later.

Pyunik frustrated
Leaders FC Pyunik stretched their advantage at the top to six points despite being held to a scoreless draw at home by FC MIKA. Pyunik were able to increase their lead as second-placed FC Banants did not play today, having won 1-0 at FC Lernayin Artsakh on Wednesday, but now Banants are just two points ahead of Spartak.

Goalless draw
FC Zvartnots AAL are fifth on 29 points after a 0-0 draw at home against FC Ararat Yerevan. Elsewhere, Mkrtich Hovhannisyan's strike three minutes into the second half gave FC Lernagorts a 1-1 draw at FC Kotayk, who had taken the lead through a first-half goal from Harutyun Harutyunyan.

Lori secure point
At the bottom of the league, FSC Lori earned just their fifth point in 19 games with a scoreless draw at FC Dinamo-2000 Yerevan, although they are still yet to win a game this season.