With Bunyodkor’s away match to Almalyk postponed until 27 September, Nasaf managed to inch closer to the summit after a hardfought win at home against their archrivals.

Nasaf’s goals came from Shuhrat Mirkholdirshaev (10, 46) and Andrejs Perepljotkins (15) while Alisher Mahmudov (27) and Jasur Boboev (48) were on target for the losing side.

Nasaf’s win placed them on 37 points, eight behind Bunyodkor.

Pakhtakor drew goalless with Bukhara to stay third, tied on the same number of points as Nasaf.

In other matches, Neftchi beat Bukhara 2-0, thanks to two goals by Anvar Berdyev, Mashal overcame Sogdiana 3-2 with Zafar Kholmurodov firing a brace, Andijan beat Dynamo 2-0, and Kyzylkum scraped past Shurtan 3-2 after both were tied 1-1 at half-time.