KRASNODAR, Russia, December 8 (R-Sport) - Alania Vladikavkaz scored their first point in eight matches on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at nine-man FC Kuban.
Kuban join fourth-placed Terek on 32 points, while Alania remain second from bottom, going to 11 points.
The Caucasus side had lost their last seven games straight, and were under pressure throughout the match despite playing with a numerical advantage.
Aras Ozbiliz came closest for Kuban, hitting the crossbar from a free kick in the last minute.
Bulgarian midfielder Ivelin Popov should have scored on two occasions, skewing wide from point-blank range and then shooting weakly straight at the goalkeeper when clean through on goal.
"It's a shame we couldn't put our chances away straight away, when the teams were at full strength," said Kuban coach Yuri Krasnozhan.
"It wasn't a dirty game, it didn't need the red cards."
Brazilian defender Zelao was sent off for a second yellow card when he elbowed Tamas Priskin just before half time.
The hosts were reduced to nine when Alexei Kozlov got a second booking on 80 minutes.
Alania had defender Aslan Dudiev dismissed with two minutes remaining for a last-man foul.
Earlier Saturday, Krylya Sovetov earned their first Russian Premier League win in 11 matches with a 2-0 away victory at fellow strugglers Amkar Perm.
On Friday, a brace from Brazilian midfielder Wanderson fired FC Krasnodar to a 3-2 win at FC Rostov, their first away victory of the season.
Later Saturday, FC Volga travel to Lokomotiv Moscow.
On Sunday, Dynamo Moscow look to continue their revival under Dan Petrescu at Terek Grozny, before league leaders CSKA Moscow play bottom team Mordovia Saransk.
Then on Monday, Rubin Kazan host Spartak Moscow before the match of the round, third-placed Zenit St. Petersburg vs. second-placed Anzhi Makhachkala.
