Russia round-up: CSKA nearly there

Title in sight
CSKA have moved on to 56 points, four clear of FC Zenit St. Petersburg who failed to close the gap after a 1-1 draw at FC Rostov-na-Donu on Saturday. Victory at home against SC Rotor Volgograd would ensure CSKA's first Russian title, having last claimed the final Soviet championship in 1991.

Late equaliser
Zenit began the weekend four points adrift of CSKA with three games left, and took the lead through Aleksandr Spivak on the half-hour mark. But Roman Adamov levelled the scores with 19 minutes remaining to leave CSKA needing only a win and a draw from their remaining three matches to clinch their first Russian title, having last claimed the final Soviet championship in 1991.

Lokomotiv on track
Deposed champions FC Lokomotiv Moskva stayed on course for UEFA Cup qualification in third place as they cruised to a 6-1 win against FC Shinnik Yaroslavl. Mikheil Ashvetia (2), Dmitri Khokhlov, Dmitri Loskov, Marat Izmailov and Maksim Buznikin scored the goals.

Rubin in touch
FC Rubin Kazan are still a point behind Lokomotiv after beating FC Krylya Sovetov Samara 3-1. Denis Boyarintsev scored twice to take his side above FC Dinamo Moskva, who lost 1-0 at home to FC Torpedo-Metallurg Moskva thanks to Valeri Leonov's third-minute strike for the relegation strugglers, who moved out of the bottom two.

Romantsev boost
Former Spartak coach Oleg Romantsev gained his first win with FC Saturn Ramenskoye, their 2-1 victory against relegation-threatened FC Uralan Elista keeping them within three points of Lokomotiv, level with fifth-placed Dinamo. Urulan dropped into the bottom two behind Torpedo-Metallurg.

Chernomorets in trouble
FC Chernomorets Krasnodarskiy Kray must now win both their remaining games to avoid relegation after losing 4-2 to FC Torpedo Moskva. Oleg Terekhin put Chernomorets ahead with a 21st-minute penalty, but Serguei Boudyline equalised through a spot-kick of his own, and although on the hour Terekhin cancelled out Mantas Samusiovas's goal just after half-time, Andres Oper and Vitali Volkov then secured three points for Torpedo.

Rotor delight
Rotor boosted their survival prospects as Valeri Esipov's two goals helped them beat FC Spartak-Alania Vladikavkaz. Rotor are on 29 points four ahead of second-bottom Uralan, with Spartak-Alania on 27 and Torpedo-Metallurg with 26.