Israel round-up: Penalty kick saves Haifa

Surprise lead
The visitors at Kiryat Eliazer took a surprise lead through Haim Hadjudj after 17 minutes, but Maccabi equalised through Elyaniv Barda on the hour before Nenad Pralija scored the home side's winner from the penalty spot.

Lone goal
Hapoel Tel-Aviv remain five points adrift of the leaders in second place after a 1-0 victory against FC Ashdod. Omri Afek beat Ashdod goalkeeper Yaniv Ben Yishai after just six minutes for the only goal of the game.

Points dropped
Third-placed Maccabi Tel-Aviv lost ground on the front two as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Hapoel Kfar-Saba. Maccabi went a goal behind to Alon Mizrahi's effort before Amir Turgeman pounced on a rebound to equalise for the hosts with less than 30 minutes remaining.

Late equaliser
Turgeman thought he had secured maximum points when he converted a penalty two minutes from time, after Muhamad Kabha had been dismissed for arguing with the referee, but despite being a man down, Kfar-Saba won a penalty in added time which Mizrahi converted.

Away wins
Elsewhere, an Andzej Kubika goal in the first half gave Beitar Jerusalem a 1-0 success at Maccabi Petach-Tikva, while Hapoel Petach-Tikva also enjoyed a win on their travels, taking all three points in a 2-1 triumph at Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Finally, Maccabi Netanya prevailed 2-0 at home against Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv.