zimbru hold out for draw published: thursday 14 august 2003, 23.00cet pfc litex lovech 0-0 csf zimbru chisinau dogged defending earns moldovan visitors a draw in lovech.
a dogged defensive performance from csf zimbru chisinau gave sergei sirbu's side a great chance to overturn pfc litex lovech and book a place in the first round of the uefa cup in front of their home fans.
paid the penalty the home side dominated the first half but by the end were left to rue a missed penalty by kiril nikolov as the match finished goalless. the penalty came in the 42nd minute after lusnac tezimbru brought down desislav roussev. nikolov stepped up to the spot confidently but smashed his shot over the crossbar.
shishelov shoots wide the second half was an exciting duel with litex constantly probing the moldovans' impressive defence. in a rare attack, the visitors nearly grabbed a goal in the 69th minute but vladmir shishelov steered his shot wide of the litex goal.
zimbru stalemate zimbru held on for dear life in the final ten minutes but the hosts failed to muster a goal, setting up an exciting return leg in a fortnight's time.
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