Slovakia round-up: Late strike puts Zilina top

Defending champions MŠK Zilina picked up their second late victory in succession to move top of the 1. Liga today.

Zábavník on target
Zilina were well in control of the first half of their match against FK Laugaricio Trencín, dominating the game and picking up the only goal of the half when Radoslav Zábavník capitalised on neat build-up work by Daniel Kosmel and Tomás Durica. The home side then went close again twice, as Trencín goalkeeper Frantisek Smak had to be at his best to deny both Marek Mintál and Michal Drahno before the break.

Fabus equaliser
The visitors then shocked Zilina by equalising seven minutes into the second half when Martin Fabus headed in Jan Necas's cross from eight metres. Zilina then had a host of good chances to go back into the lead, Smak again producing some outstanding saves in the Trencín goal. But the overall superiority of Zilina eventually paid off when Richard Varadín finished off Mintál's rebounded shot to give the champions a 2-1 win.

Púchov hold on
ŠKM Púchov, who were on the wrong end of Zilina's last-minute win in last week's action, almost fell at the last once more but eventually held on to beat ŠK Slovan Bratislava 2-1 at home. Púchov got off the mark when Bratislava defender Marek Petrus put Juraj Skripec's cross into his own goal in the 18th minute.

Bernady the hero
Púchov goalkeeper Tomás Bernady then had to be alert to defend that lead, saving well from Eduard Hrncár and Jan Slahor before Lubos Pernis made it 2-0 with a header in the 38th minute. Bratislava started quickly in the second half and thoroughly deserved their goal when Robert Vittek struck from 14 metres.

Ruzomberok in touch
MŠK Ruzomberok stayed in touch with Zilina at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at AŠK Inter Bratislava, thanks to a goal in each half by Vladimir Helbich. The midfield player struck his first in the 27th minute to ensure a lead at half-time, then added the second after 63 minutes to secure the three points for Ruzemberok.

Surprise win for Košice
1. FC Košice picked up a surprise 1-0 away win against FK ZTS Dubnica thanks to a goal early in the second half by Ján Kozák. The striker turned in Marek Sapara's cross in the 49th minute, much to the relief of the crowd, who had witnessed some poor finishing in the first half.

Zilina go top
The results leave Zilina at the top with two wins from two matches, while Ruzemberok and Košice are queued up behind them in second and third respectively and separated only be goal difference. Púchov's win puts them sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Dubnica.

Inter struggle
Today's big losers were Inter, as their defeat put them firmly at the bottom of the table without a point or a goal after two games. City rivals Slovan have not fared much better in the opening two games, and the loss to Púchov today means they are third from bottom, with just one point.