Ukraine round-up: Dynamo cut the gap

FC Shakhtar Donetsk's draw against FC Vorskla Poltava has allowed FC Dynamo Kyiv to close the gap on the leaders.

Superb goalkeeping
Shakhtar and Ukraine goalkeeper Dmytro Shutkov kept the 100th clean sheet of his career in Poltava, but it was his opposite number who earned the plaudits in the goalless draw. Vorskla goalkeeper Vitaly Postranskyi stopped no fewer than 14 shots to keep the champions at bay.

Decisive goal
Postranskyi's performance gave Dynamo hope as they cut Shakhtar's lead at the top to two points with a 1-0 win against FC Kryvbas Kryviy Rih. Maxim Shatskikh scored the only goal of the game after 33 minutes to take his season's tally to 16. His initial attempt to lob Kryvbas goalkeeper Oleg Polyakov was blocked, but he managed to tuck the ball into the net from the rebound.

Crunch game
The title race is now wide open with Shakhtar's trip to Kyiv to face Dynamo, the side they deposed to become Ukrainian champions last season, taking on increasing significance as the season goes on.

Away win
Despite the dismissal of their captain, Yuri Benio, on 60 minutes, FC Karpaty Lviv recorded an away victory against FC Volyn Lutsk, with the only goal being scored by Serhiy Mezin. Elsewhere, FC Metalist Kharkiv were beaten 1-0 by FC Illychivets Mariupol, and FC Metalurh Zaporizhya recorded a rare victory by overcoming FC Obolon Kyiv 2-0. FC Tavriya Simferopol beat FC Olexandriya 3-1.

Vital victory
On Monday, FC Metalurh Donetsk recorded a vital 3-1 away victory against FC Arsenal Kyiv to contnue their chase for a UEFA Cup place. Ilia Stolica, Georgi Demetradze and Gocha Jamarauli scored for Metalurh. Finally, FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk played out a scoreless draw with FC Chornomorets Odesa.