Belarus round-up: Late goal fires Torpedo

Torpedo-MAZ Minsk have preserved their two-point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to Andrei Cherenkov’s late winner against Lokomotiv 96 Vitebsk.

Bitter blow
Cherenkov struck a minute from time to seal a 2-1 victory, which means Lokomotiv have now lost all six league games this season. Defeat will be a bitter blow as they looked certain to record their first point of the 2002 campaign.

Borisov stay close
Elsewhere, FC BATE Borisov defeated FC Neman Grodno 2-1 at home to stay in the chase in second place. Yury Puntus's team went ahead after 32 minutes with Igor Chumachenko grabbing his fourth goal of the season before Sergei Mironchik extended their lead in the 68th minute. Neman earned a consolation through Oleg Radushko.

Stripeikis treble
Last year's champions FC Belshina Bobruisk were 6-1 winners at FC Slavia Mozyr with Valery Stripeikis scoring a hat-trick against his former club. Belarussian Cup finalists FC Gomel won 3-0 at FC Molodechno 2000 with their goals coming in the second half, from Anton Ivanov, Sergei Nikitenko and Victor Borel.

Dnepr take third
FC Dinamo Minsk let an early lead slip as they crashed 2-1 at FC Dnepr-Transmash Mogilev, who made third place their own, while FC Zvezda-VA-BGU Minsk against FC Dinamo Brest finished goalless. FC Torpedo Zhodino ground out another goalless stalemate in their home match with Shakhtior Soligorsk.