Spartak Moscow's hopes of a bronze medal in the Russian Premier League were shattered after a 0-0 home draw with Samara's Krylya Sovetov on Sunday.
Spartak threatened early on after Krylya's keeper Eduardo Lobos came too far outside his area but Nikita Bazhenov failed to take the advantage. Minutes later, Slovenian striker Dragan Jelic shot narrowly wide of Spartak's goal from 18 meters.
Spartak's Brazilian star Welliton came close to a goal in the 60th minute after flicking past Lobos but a defender's leg got in the way. Eleven minutes on, Dmitry Kombarov hit the woodwork from distance with Welliton too slow for a follow-up.
The away side needed a response, and Yevgeny Savin almost provided it forcing Reds keeper Oleg Dikan into a superb save in the 79th minute.
Spartak are now 8 points behind the third-placed Rubin Kazan with only two games to spare. Zenit St. Petersburg clinched their second Premier League title earlier on Sunday after an impressive 5-0 home win over Rostov, while contenders CSKA Moscow drew against Spartak Nalchik.
MOSCOW, November 14 (RIA Novosti)
