Slovakia round-up: No let-up from Zilina

Slovakian champions MŠK Zilina continued to show their superiority in the Superliga with a 3-1 win at home against MŠK Ruzomberok.

Varadin hat-trick
A hat-trick from Richard Varadin, with the opener coming after just 34 seconds, was the highlight of an efficient performance by Zilina. Marian Dirnbach had levelled after 29 minutes but Varadin stole the show with further goals after 44 and 69 minutes.

Contenders all fail
The race for second place will go down to the wire after contenders ŠKM  Púchov, AŠK Inter Bratislava and ŠK Slovan Bratislava were all consigned to the same fate as Ruzomberok.

Hopes high
With only six points separating second-placed Púchov from fifth-placed Slovan, all the rivals went into today with high hopes. Púchov were handed a lesson with a 4-1 defeat at FK ZTS Dubnica but Slovan were perhaps the biggest losers with Martin Fabus' 34th-minute winner handing FK Dukla Trencín a shock victory.

Urban opener
Inter also suffered away-day blues at 1. FC Košice, Rudolf Urban setting the tone for the afternoon with an 11th-minute penalty. Juraj Lelkes sealed the points four minutes from time.

Košice closer
While that was happening FC Tatran Prešov had crumbled 3-0 at FC Artmedia Petrzalka, Tomas Medved grabbing a goal in each half. Bottom side Košice are now within a point of nearest rivals Prešov in the fight against relegation with just two games to go.