Group leaders Russia left frustrated
Russia were again left frustrated in front of goal as Armenia secured a battling draw in Yerevan in tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier.
Group B leaders Russia have now failed to score in their last three matches after losing friendlies to Belgium and Iran, although will class this as a point gained in view of Armenia's strong start to the qualifying campaign.
Armenia were quickly out of the blocks and a shot from Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the sixth minute was well taken by Igor Akinfeev.
The Russian goalkeeper then denied Edgar Malakyan before Gevorg Ghazaryan sent his effort the wrong side of the post.
Armenia kept up the pressure in front of a partisan crowd and Marco Pizelli saw his shot parried by Akinfeev.
Russia responded in the 28th minute but Chelsea's Yury Zhirkov was out of luck.
Ghazaryan went close at the start of the second half and Yura Movsisyan should have put Armenia ahead in the 52nd minute, only to fire over the bar.
That sparked Russia into action and they gained the momentum.
But Alexander Kerzhakov, Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin, Alan Dzagoev and Roman Shirkov were all wasteful and they had to settle for a point.