The draw between defending champions Pakhtakor and Kuruvchi was to the benefit of Neftchi who are now on 28 points, two more than Pakhtakor and five ahead of Kuruvchi.

Akmal Holmatov scored all three goals for the team from Fergana while Farhod Tadjivev fired the opener for Samarkand.

Pakhtakor had Ildar Magdeev’s 84th minute strike to thank for the draw after Sergey Lushan had put Kuruvchi ahead in the 40th minute off the spot.

In other matches, Andijan thrashed Navbahor 3-1, Nasaf beat Bukhara 2-0, Vobkent lost to Kyzylkum 2-4 and Shurtan edged Tupalang 1-0.

STANDINGS: 1. Neftchi 28, 2. Pakhtakor 26, 3. Kuruvchi 23, 4. Andijan 22, 5. Mashal 20