BATE maintain lead in Belarus league with 2-0 win at Belshina Bobryisk

BATE Borisov opened up a five point lead at the top of the Belarus Premier League standings on Sunday, following a 2-0 win at bottom club Belshina Bobryisk.

They got off to a shaky start at the Spartak Stadium however - Belshina were twice denied by the woodwork early on in the first half.

BATE settled though and Ihar Stasevich got the opener after 27 minutes.

They dominated after that, but the points were only secured after Pavel Nekhajchik poked in from close range following a defensive mix-up seven minutes from time.

It was BATE's 22nd win in their last 24 games against Belshina - with the other two games being draws.

The last time Belshina beat BATE was back in October 2001.

Kirill Alshevsky's side now have 30 points from 14 games and their unbeaten run in the league stretches to 12.

Shakhtyor Soligorsk have the chance to cut BATE's advantage down to two points later on Sunday when they entertain Rukh Brest.

Belshina Bobryisk remain rooted to the bottom of the table on 6 points, 10 points from safety.