Peru Primera Division Wrap: Leaders stumble with goalless draws

Sporting Cristal and Universitario missed their chance to close in on Peru Primera Division leaders Real Garcilaso.

Real Garcilaso remain four points clear at the top after being held to a 0-0 draw by third-placed Universitario at the Estadio Monumental in Lima.

Sporting Cristal were surprisingly held by Melgar as they also played out a scoreless draw.

Midfielder Renzo Sheput missed the easiest of chances during the clash, shooting over the bar with the goal open.

The result leaves Sporting four points adrift after a fourth straight draw as they failed to capitalise on another Real Garcilaso slip up.

Sport Huancayo closed in on the top three as a Sergio Ibarra brace saw them to a 2-1 win at home to Juan Aurich.

Ibarra scored twice in six minutes in the first half – heading in at the back post before later side-footing in from an almost identical position.

Italo Regalado pulled one back for the visitors five minutes before half-time, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

There was controversy in the clash between Cesar Vallejo and Leon de Huanuco, which finished 0-0.

Cesar Vallejo were awarded a late penalty and Leon de Huanuco coach Jose Soto – as well as several of his players – showed their anger with the decision by moving onto the pitch in protest.

Carlos Galvan stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was saved down low to the right by Jaime Rivera.

In other matches, Cienciano and Inti Gas drew 1-1, Universidad San Martin defeated Alianza Lima 1-0 and UTC Cajamarca won 2-0 at Jose Galvez in a clash which saw both teams have a player sent off.