Lanus move another step closer to first Argentine title

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Modest Lanus moved another step closer to their first domestic title on Sunday when they drew 0-0 with Argentinos Juniors while Boca Juniors were beaten by Arsenal.

Boca dropped from second to third and were overtaken by promoted Tigre, who beat Rosario Central 2-1 in a game played on Friday in the Argentine Arpetura championship.

Lanus lead with 34 points from 17 games, three ahead of Tigre with Boca another point behind. The trio are the only teams still capable of winning the title with two rounds of games to play.

Striker Jose Sand nearly gave Lanus the three points when he hit the post with a shot on the turn in the 66th minute while Alvaro Perreira forced Lanus goalkeeper Carlos Bossio to make a difficult save shortly afterwards.

Boca never got into their stride at Arsenal and found themselves trailing when Andres San Martin took advantage of hesitant defending to head in Jose Luis Calderon's cross in the 24th minute.

The South American champions were in further trouble when Alejandro Gomez met Christian Diaz's cross with a diving header to score the second in the 44th minute before Uruguay forward Carlos Bueno pulled one back for Boca in the 75th minute.

Independiente's chances ended when they drew 0-0 with arch-rivals Racing Club in a match between the two neighbours from the industrial district of Avellaneda.

The result left the Red Devils fourth with 27 points, ahead of Argentinos Juniors on goal difference.

Velez Sarsfield and River Plate, who both parted company with their respective coaches earlier this month, enjoyed differing fortunes under interim coaches.

Velez beat Gimnasia-La Plata 3-1 in their first game since Ricardo La Volpe's resignation while River, who parted company with former Argentina captain Daniel Passarella, lost 2-0 at home to Colon.

(Reporting by Luis Ampuero; Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)