Oulu narrow the gap as Veikkausliiga leaders Inter Turku held by KuPS

AC Oulu 2-1 Jaro

The final match of the round on Sunday saw AC Oulu claim a routine home victory over struggling Jaro, though the visitors, buoyed by their first win of the campaign, made the hosts battle hard for the three points.

After a first half that ended goalless, Oulu broke the deadlock late on when Julius Korkko met a corner with his head and the ball deflected off Juha Pirinen before bouncing over the line.

Ten minutes later, Jaro had a golden chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty, but Herman Sjogrell's spot kick was saved by Miguel Santos. However, from a corner shortly afterwards, Michael Ogungbaro flicked on the deep delivery and Aron Bjonback was on hand to head home.

The equaliser lasted only three minutes, as goalkeeper Senne Vits clumsily fouled Kalifa Jatta in the box. Rasmus Karjalainen stepped up and sent Vits the wrong way from the penalty spot, restoring Oulu's lead. That victory made it three consecutive wins for Oulu, while the 10th placed side suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.

KuPS 1-1 Inter Turku

That result means Oulu are now just three points behind league leaders Inter Turku, who were held to a draw at KuPS. KuPS sit in third place, a point adrift of Oulu. Alie Conteh put the hosts ahead nine minutes into the second half, but Jaime Moreno equalised shortly after the hour mark. Both teams extended their unbeaten league runs to five matches.

Lahti 5-0 Ilves

Lahti ended a run of four league matches without victory in emphatic fashion, thrashing Ilves and moving above them in the standings. Amir Belabid scored two goals and then set up Aaron Lindholm for a third as early as the 17th minute. Erik Andersson missed a penalty midway through the first half, but made amends by converting another spot kick soon after the break. Ilves then conceded another penalty; Daniel Heikkinen saw his initial effort saved but tucked away the rebound.

Gnistan 3-2 SJK

Gnistan, who sit eighth between Lahti and Ilves, recorded their third victory in five matches at the expense of SJK, who have managed only one win all season. Ayo Obileye put Gnistan ahead, but Olatoundji Tessilimi equalised late in the first half. After the interval, Marcelo Costa and Gabriel Europaeus scored to put the hosts in control, before Eze Onuoha grabbed a late consolation for SJK.

HJK 1-0 Mariehamn

SJK remain above the bottom of the table thanks to HJK, who handed winless Mariehamn a second consecutive defeat. An Alex Ring penalty early in the second half secured a first win in four matches for HJK, who remain in fourth place but still trail the leaders by nine points.

TPS 1-0 VPS

Goal difference is all that separates HJK from fifth placed TPS, who snapped a two match losing streak with a narrow victory over VPS. Miikka Kauppila headed home seven minutes from time to secure the win, lifting TPS above their opponents and ending VPS's five match unbeaten run.