The Pakhtakor-Nasaf game looked on course for a draw with no goals until a minute before the final whistle but three quickfire strikes from Anvar Soliev (89), Uche Iheruome (90) and Server Djeparov (90+2) sealed the three points for the defending champions.

Erstwhile leaders Neftchi’s match against Navbahor was postponed to 3 June.

Kuruvchi Tashkent had to depend on Rashid Gafurov’s injury time goal to come away 2-1 winners at Tupalang. Gafurov also scored the equaliser in the 84th minute to Tulkin Mirzaev’s 32nd minute opener.

In other games, Mashal thrashed Metallurg 5-1, Andijan lost to Bukhara 2-1, Kyzylkum edged Lokomotiv 1-0, Traktor defeated Shurtan 2-0 and Samarqand scraped out a 1-0 win against Vobkent.

STANDINGS: 1. Pakhtakor Tashkent 29, 2. Neftchi Fergana 28, 3. Kuruvchi Tashkent 26, 4. Mashal 23, 5. Andijan 22