In a key RUS D3A clash, Alania Vladikavkaz strengthened their promotion credentials with a convincing 3-1 win over Zenit 2 St. Petersburg. Alania, backed by a passionate home crowd, raced into a two-goal lead with an explosive start. Zenit 2, the reserve side of the Russian giants, pulled one back to make a game of it, but Alania sealed the victory with a late third goal. The result demonstrates Alania Vladikavkaz's strength at this level and their determination to return to higher divisions of Russian football.