Esteghlal lead cut

Sportalasia - Esteghlal's lead at the top of the Iranian First Division was cut to two points on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Abu Moslem while nearest rivals Pirouzi broke a long winless spell with victory against Esteghlal Rasht.

In front of a full house at the Takhti stadium in Mashhad, it was the home side that took the lead after 22 minutes through Iman Razaghi. After allowing the goal, Esteghlal piled on the pressure and had a Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht effort disallowed for offside just four minute later.

However, substitute Faraz Fatemi finally breached the Abu Moslem twelve minutes from time as he score Esteghlal's equaliser with an acrobatic scissors kick.

Meanwhile, Pirouzi scored their first victory in nearly a month with a 1-0 win over second-from-bottom Esteghlal Rahst. It was the Tehran side's first win in six games since a 1-0 win over Peykan on April 21.

Foolad moved up to third spot with a 1-0 win over Saipa, while Pas dropped off the pace after a goalless draw at Peykan.

Just two games remain for each team in the 2001/02 Iranian League season, and Esteghlal could claim the title if they beat Peykan on Friday and Pirouzi fail to beat Saipa.