Spartak Nalchik Relegated after Krylya Draw

Russian Premier League team Spartak Nalchik have been relegated after failing to secure the win they needed against Krylya Sovetov to keep their survival hopes alive.

The goalless draw leaves Nalchik, the league’s bottom club, ten points from safety with three games remaining as they face their first season in the First Division since 2005.

Both team had chances, with Nalchik striker Ruslan Bolov  forcing a save from Krylya goalkeeper Sergei Veremko on 52 minutes, before Krylya substitute Khyzyr Appaev missed his chance while one-on-one with Nalchik’s Alexander Budakov.

“Maybe you can call it a game of missed chances on both sides,” Nalchik coach Timur Shipshev said.

“There were so many chances, for us and for them. You can’t play like that in defense.”

Appaev was sent off on 83 minutes, a quarter of an hour after he came on, after picking up a second yellow card for a reckless challenge.

Nalchik failed to take advantage of their numerical advantage as Krylya held on for a draw that brings them level on points with FC Rostov in 12th.

Former Blackpool striker Sergei Kornilenko played the whole game for Krylya despite the news earlier Friday that he had tested positive for a banned substance.

According to the Russian Football Union head Sergei Fursenko, he will face a "no more than three month” ban if his second sample also tests positive.

Earlier Friday, 15th-placed FC Tomsk were pushed to the brink of relegation after a goalless draw at home to Amkar Perm.

Tomsk’s relegation will be assured if 14th-placed FC Volga avoid defeat away to FC Krasnodar later Friday.

Rostov take on Terek Grozny in the day’s other late game.