Defending Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg twice let the lead slip against Spartak Nalchik on Sunday, but the draw was enough to take them top as Rubin Kazan lost 1-0 to Anzhi Makhachkala.
In Nalchik in the day's early kickoff, it all seemed too easy for Zenit when, in the seventh minute, they sliced through Spartak for Alexander Kerzhakov to score, driving home Danny's low cross at the far post.
But the visitors couldn't add to their lead and with an hour gone the hosts evened things up, Bosnian midfielder Adnan Zahirovic stabbing the ball home from six meters after Zenit failed to clear a corner.
The title holders went ahead again in the 81st minute when right back Alexander Anyukov pulled the ball back to the unmarked Danko Lazovic on the penalty spot for the Serb to score his third league goal of the season.
It looked like the three points would be heading north, but in the 89th minute Roman Kontsedalov curled in a free kick from almost 30 meters with Zenit keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev rooted to his line.
The point was enough to take the Petersburgers top, however, as Rubin Kazan - runners-up last season and top of the table after two 2-0 wins this term - failed to take advantage of Zenit's stumble.
In Dagestan, the only goal was scored in the seventh minute by Anzhi Makhachkala striker Jan Holenda. The Czech forward ran onto a long pass from Odil Ahmedov and lashed the ball past keeper Sergei Ryzhikov with several of the Rubin defense apparently still in the dressing room.
The win shoots Anzhi up to eighth, in the middle of a host of teams including Spartak Nalchik with four points. Rubin remain on six points, one point and one place behind leaders Zenit.
Next weekend, Zenit are at home to CSKA Moscow, while Nalchik travel to Kazan to face Rubin. Anzhi, meanwhile, play at Tom Tomsk, who have lost both their games so far and play against Terek - also pointless after two matches - in Grozny on Monday.
Sunday's games finished with Premier League new boys FC Krasnodar making their first trip to the capital and coming away with their undefeated record intact after a 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow.
Both teams came into the game without having conceded a goal, but the visitors' record fell first with the Muscovites opening the scoring in the 20th minute. Czech striker Tomas Necid received the ball with his back to goal in the penalty area but managed to turn and get his shot away, wrong-footing Krasnodar keeper Yevgeny Gorodov.
The home side, who could have gone second with a win, had already failed to make anything of a couple of half-chances and that pattern continued, with the best opening falling to Necid in the second half. He didn't make use of it, and when the visitors got their chance, Igor Pikuschak made the army club pay.
The draw means CSKA and FC Krasnodar remain, with leaders Zenit St. Petersburg, the only undefeated teams. Krasnodar now have five points, one behind city rivals Kuban and one ahead of CSKA, whose game against Krylya Sovetov in the second round of matches was postponed.
Saturday's results
Amkar Perm 1-1 Krylya Sovetov
Volga Volgograd 3-0 Dynamo Moscow
Lokomotiv Moscow 1-1 Rostov
Kuban Krasnodar 3-1 Spartak Moscow
Sunday's results
Spartak Nalchik 2-2 Zenit St. Petersburg
Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 Rubin Kazan
CSKA Moscow 1-1 FC Krasnodar
Monday's game
Terek Grozny v Tom Tomsk
League table (three games unless stated)
Zenit St. Petersburg 7 points
Rubin Kazan 6
Volga Volgograd 6
Kuban Krasnodar 6
FC Krasnodar 5
CSKA Moscow 4
Amkar Perm 4
Roctov 4
Lokomotiv Moscow 4
Spartak Nalchik 4
Anzhi Makhachkala 4
Dynamo Moscow 3
Spartak Moscow 3
Krylya Sovetov 1
Terek Grozny 0
Tom Tomsk 0
