Neftekhimik vs Ural

Ural made the trip to Nizhnekamsk count, edging out Neftekhimik 1-0 in a tight Round 12 clash. Neftekhimik held firm defensively for long spells despite seeing less of the ball, and it took a moment of quality from the visitors to finally break the deadlock in the second half. The only goal came in the 75th minute, when Ilya Ishkov slotted home to put Ural ahead. Things got tougher for the visitors late on when Martin Sekulic picked up a second yellow card in the 89th minute and was sent off, leaving Ural to see out the closing stages with ten men, which they managed without much alarm. The win keeps Ural firmly in the promotion picture as they chase a return to the top flight, while Neftekhimik suffer another home defeat that leaves them stuck near the bottom of the table, still searching for the consistency to climb clear of danger.