Partizan and Red Star share spoils in Belgrade derby

By Zoran Milosavljevic

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian league leaders Partizan drew 1-1 with Red Star in a pulsating Belgrade derby on Saturday to stay five points clear of the champions with nine matches left.

Partizan have 55 points from 24 games followed by Red Star on 50. Third-placed Vojvodina Novi Sad (43) have only a slim chance of staying in the title hunt after a 1-0 defeat at struggling Napredak Krusevac.

Red Star dominated early on and took a deserved 22nd-minute lead when Montenegro striker Igor Burzanovic capitalised on a defensive blunder to stroke the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

Dusan Andjelkovic and Dejan Milovanovic missed sitters and Red Star were punished when Brazilian midfielder Juca equalised with a left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area after Zoran Tosic delivered a perfect low cross on 29 minutes.

Stevan Jovetic volleyed just wide of the far post in the 40th minute for Partizan while Burzanovic had a shot cleared off the line at the other end.

Red Star nearly grabbed a late winner when a Nenad Milijas free kick whizzed over the bar.

Partizan coach Slavisa Jokanovic was pleased with the draw after his team's "shaky start".

"We were strangely subdued in the opening stages but came to life after falling behind and I think it was a fair result in the end," Jokanovic told a news conference.

Opposite number Aleksandar Jankovic rued Red Star's missed chances.

"They (Partizan) will be a lot happier with the result but I have to congratulate my players for a spirited performance," he said.

"We did all we could today and it's not over yet."

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