Pakhtakor surged five clear at the top of the Uzbekistan League with a solitary goal win over Lokomotiv in the 16th round recently.

Pakhtakor were helped by Neftchi’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kuruvchi who usurped second spot in the 16-team standings.

The Lokomotiv-Pakhtakor match looked on course for a draw when Alexander Genyrikh struck off the spot two minutes before time for the narrow win.

On target for Kuruvchi were Shavkat Salomov and Aziz Haydarov.

Mashal were nine off the pace after thrashing Samarqand 3-1 while Kyzylkum were held by Shurtan 1-1.

In other matches, Traktor beat Navbahor 3-0, Metallurg beat Bukhara 2-0, Vobkent shared the points with Tupalang after a 2-2 draw and Andijan were held by Nasaf 1-1.

STANDINGS: 1. Pakhtakor 44, 2. Kuruvchi 39, 3. Neftchi 38, 4. Mashal 35, 5. Kyzylkum 29