FC Volga retained their place in the Russian Premier League for the 2012-13 season on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw against city rivals FC Nizhny Novgorod earned a 2-1 aggregate win in their promotion-relegation playoff.
Dmitry Kudryashov hit the post with an early free kick near the corner flag that nearly caught out Mikhail Kerzhakov in the Volga goal.
Volga's Andrei Karyaka later hit a breathtaking free kick from the edge of the center circle that whipped viciously through the air and was punched over the bar by Vasily Chernitsyn.
Nizhny striker Matija Dvornekovic stepped around Kerzhakov toward the end of the half but shanked his shot at an open goal wide.
Nizhny striker Alexander Salugin was sent off for a second booking late on.
A double strike from Ilya Maximov helped Volga to a 2-1 comeback win in the first leg on Friday, meaning a 1-0 win would have sufficed for the second-tier side.
As it is, FC Volga will play a second-successive season in the top flight after winning promotion in 2010 courtesy of a 2-2 draw - also against FC Nizhny Novgorod.
FC Volga were one of two Premier League teams to fall into the relegation playoff zone, along with FC Rostov.
Shinnik Yaroslavl try to turn around a 3-0 deficit against Rostov later Tuesday.
