Russia round-up: Lokomotiv held by Torpedo

Premier-Liga leaders FC Lokomotiv Moscow were held to a 2-2 draw by city rivals FC Torpedo Moscow today, as Nikola Jolovic sank a late goal to deprive Lokomotiv of three points.

Izmailov unavailable
An under-strength Lokomotiv side, who were without midfield players Narvik Sirkhaev and Vladimir Maminov for the match, were also shocked by the news prior to the kick-off that Russian international starlet Marat Izmailov was prohibited by club doctors from playing on the Luzhniki stadium's fourth-generation Astroturf pitch over fears that he is prone to injuries on such a surface.

African record
Coach Yuri Semin was forced to field a starting lineup that included a record number of African players in a Premier-Liga match. Jacob Lekgetho, Baba Adamu, Bennet Mnguni and James Obiorah all featured for Lokomotiv on the night.

Petrenko debut
Torpedo, guided by newly appointed coach Sergey Petrenko, dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead when Igor Semshov slalomed past two defenders and played a perfect pass for Igor Lebedenko to calmly slot past goalkeeper Sergey Ovchinnikov. Lebedenko could have scored again, after he forced a mistake from Ovchinnikov, but shot wide of an open goal.

Third forward
Semin introduced an extra forward, Maksim Buznikin, after the interval and Lokomotiv were in a dominant mood throughout the second half. Dmitry Loskov set up the equalizer for Buznikin, before scorer turned provider when Buznikin sent Adamu though on goal to make it 2-1.

Late equaliser
However, Torpedo equalised with their only real chance of the half in the dying moments of the match, when Dmitry Budylin's free-kick deflected off Lekcetho and fell to Jolovic, who made no mistake from close range.

Zenit suffer shock
In the night's other games, FC Zenit St. Petersburg suffered a shock at home when they lost 2-1 against FC Saturn Moscow Region at the Petrovsky stadium. Aleksei Meleshin opened the scoring for Saturn in the first half but Russian international Aleksandr Kerzhakov pulled Zenit even after 53 minutes. Bosnia-Herzegovninan midfield player Omer Joldic scored the winning goal for the visitors on 67 minutes, silencing the home crowd.

Victories for Anzhi and Rotor
Elsewhere, FC Torpedo-ZIL Moscow held FC Uralan Elista to a 2-2 draw, while FC Anzhi Makhachkala beat FC Rostselmash Rostov-Na-Donu, 4-1. FC Sokol Saratov secured a 1-1 draw against in-form FC Alania Vladikavkaz and SC Rotor Volgograd recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over FC Shinnik Yaroslavl. PFC CSKA Moscow take on FC Krylya Sovetov Samara on Wednesday.