Romania round-up: Title challengers held

FC Rapid Bucuresti and FC National Bucuresti both drew today, meaning none of the capital's five clubs managed a weekend victory for the first time in years.

Dumitru opener
Rapid dominated the first half against relegation-threatened SC Astra Ploiesti but missed three excellent chances to take the lead. The visitors made Rapid pay for their profligacy when Aurelian Dumitru drilled in the opening goal in the 14th minute following a swift counterattack.

Mihart sees red
Astra goalkeeper Catalin Multescu, son of coach Gheorghe, made several superb stops after the break but was finally beaten in the 76th minute by Robert Ilyes's cheeky back-heel. Astra's excellent showing was marred slightly by the 88th-minute dismissal of defender Cornel Mihart for two yellow cards.

Headed chances
The point saw Rapid move back up to third after National briefly wrested that position from them with the point gained from their 0-0 draw with FC Petrolul Ploiesti earlier in the day. Both sides went close to scoring in the first half with defender Ion Gheorghe having a header well saved by National goalkeeper Bogdan Vintila. National's Adrian Falub was also not far away with a headed effort.

Costescu goes close
In the second half, Petrolul forward Daniel Costescu had a few efforts from good positions and National strikers Sabin Ilie and Sergiu Radu also threatened but neither side could break the deadlock.