Uzbekistan League pacesetters Pakhtakor and Kuruvchi recorded identical 2-0 victories over Samarqand and Mashal respectively in the 26th round here recently.
Zaynitdin Tadjiyev (6) and Islom Inomov (33; penalty) were on target for the defending champions while Ilhom Mumindjanov scored both the goals for Kuruvchi in the 20th and 32nd minutes.

Fourth-placed Neftchi lost by a solitary goal to Lokomotiv. Erkin Boydullaev scored the match-winner for Lokomotiv in the last minute.

In other matches, Shurtan beat Vobkent 2-1, Andijan held Metallurg 2-2, Nasaf defeated Traktor 4-2, Tupalang thrashed Kyzylkum 4-1 and Bukhara beat Navbahor 1-0.

STANDINGS: 1. Pakhtakor 72, 2. Kuruvchi 65, 3. Mashal 60, 4. Neftchi 54, 5. Samarqand 41.