Russia round-up: Lokomotiv miss their chance

FC Lokomotiv Moskva's title ambitions were dented after they were held to a 1-1 draw at FC Alania Vladikavkaz tonight.

Level with CSKA
The point means Lokomotiv are now level with leaders, and city rivals, PFC CSKA Moskva, with 60 points from 28 games although CSKA remain in first place thanks to a greater number of wins. Defending champions FC Spartak Moskva are third on 55 points, with all three clubs having two matches left to play this season.

Pimenov equaliser
UEFA Champions League contenders Lokomotiv were on the back foot after just ten minutes this evening. A long-range effort from Georgian striker Mikhel Ashvetia put Alania ahead, but Lokomotiv were level 12 minutes later when Ruslan Pimenov scored.

Still favourites
Despite the draw, Lokomotiv, who have finished second behind Spartak for the last three years, remain odds-on favourites to win the first title in the club's 67-year history. They face mid-table FC Zenit St Petersburg on Saturday and play Moscow rivals FC Dinamo Moskva the following Sunday, while CSKA take on Spartak in an eagerly awaited derby on Friday and finish the season at fifth-placed FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast on 17 November.

Alania in trouble
Meanwhile, the point did little to help 1995 champions Alania, who are in 13th place with 27 points and remain in danger of relegation. The Vladikavkaz side moved two points ahead of FC Torpedo-ZIL Moscow, while the bottom two clubs, FC Sokol Saratov and FC Anzhi Makhachkala, have 22 points each. The bottom two get relegated.