Anvar Berdiev was the hero for Neftchi, hitting a double in the second half, as they went to 21 points, keeping their two-point lead over defending champions Pakhtakor, who edged Bukhara 1-0, thanks to Timur Kapadze’s 73rd minute strike.

Kuruvchi went third after a 1-1 draw with Samarqand. Murad Hamraev put the hosts ahead in the fifth minute before Sergey Lushan restored parity for Kuruvchi in the 46th minute.

Mashal beat Andijan 2-1 and sent them spinning to fifth position on the ladder. Rustam Kadyrov (33) and Batyr Kadyrkulov (76) fired Mashal to a 2-0 lead before Rustam Kurbanbaev pulled one back a minute before the end.

In other games, Kyzylkum thrashed Nasaf 3-1, Shurtan drew goalless with Lokomotiv, Metallurg returned the same result with Vobkent, and Navbahor edged Tupalang 2-1.

STANDINGS: 1. Neftchi Fergana 21, 2. Pakhtakor 19, 3. Kuruvchi 16, 4. Mashal 16, 5.