Latvia round-up: Champions held

FK Ventspils held defending Latvian champions FC Skonto to a 2-2 draw on Wednesday to remain on top of the Virsliga, four points ahead of their rivals.

Bicka goal
Ventspils enjoyed the better of the play in the first half, and had a chance to take the lead on 33 minutes when Ignas Dedura handballed in his own box, but Vits Rimkus blasted the penalty over the bar. Despite that miss, Ventspils still went into the interval ahead after Deimantas Bicka scored seconds before the half-time whistle.

Vital substitutions
Skonto brought on Orestas Buitkus and Maris Verpakovskis after the break and these substitutions proved to be vital. On 61 minutes Buitkus dashed down the right and crossed for Mihails Miholaps, who headed the ball into the net. Miholaps scored a penalty on 81 minutes to give Skonto the lead, but Bicka's fantastic shot sealed the draw, which benefited Ventspils.

Other games
Elsewhere, FK Riga lost 2-0 against FHK Liepajas Metalurgs, the goals coming courtesy of Jurgis Kalns and Kristaps Grebis. FBK Valmiera beat FK Auda Riga 3-1, with Janis Zujevs, Agnis Mezgailis and Eduards Kudrjasovs scoring for the victors while Valmiera player-coach Gatis Erglis put the ball into his own net.