Zenit maintain lead despite draw

Zenit St Petersburg were held to a draw at Kuban Krasnador, but CSKA Moscow could not close the gap on the Premier League leaders as they were also held in a derby match against rivals Lokomotiv. Zenit had led through Igor Denisov's 28th minute goal, but a Lacina Traore penalty in the 66th minute earned the hosts a 1-1 draw. However, they remain five points clear of CSKA, who had trailed at Lokomotiv to an 11th-minute Vladislav Ignatiev strike before Seydou Doumbia levelled midway through the second half. Rubin Kazan are down in seventh place after losing at Volga Nizhny Novgorod, who pulled clear of the drop zone with a 1-0 win, Shota Bibilov getting the goal after 30 minutes. There was also a morale-boosting win for second bottom Spartak Nalchik, who scored either side of half-time to see off Amkar Perm 2-1. Roman Kontsedalov scored seconds before the half-time whistle, and an own goal from Zahari Sirakov doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. Substitute Yevgeni Tyukalov got a goal back for the visitors in the final minute.