Ukraine round-up: Metalist bow out

FC Metalist Kharkiv were relegated from the Ukrainian Premier League for only the second time in their history following a 1-0 defeat by FC Kryvbas Kryviy Rih.

Rymshyn decider
The only goal of a tense match was scored by Yevhen Rymshyn and all but assured Kryvbas of a place in the top flight next season. There are five other sides still looking to avoid relegation, with FC Metalurh Zaporizhya, second-bottom on 24 points after a 2-0 defeat against FC Shakhtar Donetsk, facing the toughest test.

One point behind
Andriy Vorobei struck twice to become the top scorer in Shakhtar's history with 54 goals. Shakhtar now have 66 points, still one point behind FC Dynamo Kyiv, who beat FC Tavriya Simferopol 4-1. Maxim Shatskikh scored his 19th goal of the season for Dynamo and also missed a penalty.

Arsenal third
The battle for the two UEFA Cup spots is still raging, with FC Arsenal Kyiv moving into third place after a 1-0 win against FC Volyn Lutsk. FC Metalurh Donetsk slipped up in Lviv as they were held by FC Karpaty Lviv, while FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk lost 2-0 against FC Vorskla Poltava. Arsenal now have a two-point lead over Metalurh and are three points ahead of Dnipro.

Boost for Obolon
Elsewhere, FC Obolon Kyiv improved their hopes of avoiding relegation by beating FC Chornomorets Odesa 4-1, while FC Olexandriya secured maximum points with a single-goal victory over FC Illichivets Mariupol. Meanwhile, FC Zirka Kirovohrad will be promoted to the Ukrainian Premier League alongside FC Borysfen Boryspil next season.