Surgut Region saw off Yaroslavl 3-1 in the Russian Cup on Wednesday evening, a result that keeps them top of the table with six games played. The hosts sit four points clear of their visitors, who remain second after three defeats this season.
Yaroslavl have not beaten Surgut Region in their last two meetings, losing 1-3 and 2-3 on previous occasions. This third consecutive defeat on the road adds to a run of four losses in five away matches for the visitors.
Surgut Region ground out the win without needing to show what they are capable of in a tight contest. The hosts have won four of six, though they will not forget the 0-3 hammering they took from Krasnoyarsk earlier this month.
Yaroslavl's recent form has been difficult away from home, with three consecutive defeats before their narrow 3-1 victory over Gorky Nizhny Novgorod. They came for a cross they never reached when it mattered, and the gap at the top is now six points.
The scoreline does not tell the full story of what has been a comfortable evening for the leaders. Surgut Region extended their unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions, while Yaroslavl have hit a wall on their travels.