Unfashionable Lanus stay top in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Modest Lanus stayed on course for their first domestic title when they beat Tigre 2-1 to stay top of the Argentine championship on Sunday.

With four matches each to play in the Apertura championship, Lanus have a three-point lead over South American champions Boca Juniors, who moved into second place with a 3-0 win at Racing Club. Independiente, who drew 1-1 at River Plate, are third, a further point behind.

Matias Fritzler scored the winner on the hour for Lanus, who have 30 points from 15 games.

The hosts had gone ahead with a Jose Sand penalty in the 15th minute before Leandro Lazzaro headed a 33rd minute equaliser for Tigre, another surprise package.

Boca's goals all came in the second half as Neri Cardozo opened the scoring immediately after the re-start, Rodrigo Palacio added a second on the hour and Martin Palermo converted a 90th minute penalty.

Independiente took an 18th minute lead at River when Carlos Matheu headed in from Daniel Montenegro's free kick.

Fernando Belluschi levelled for Daniel Passarella's team with another header on the stroke halftime.

Diego Simeone's Estudiantes beat Gimansia-La Plata 1-0 in the La Plata derby when Uruguayan striker Juan Salgueiro scored from a narrow angle in the 34th minute.

The visitors missed a penalty in the 24th minute when Estudiantes goalkeeper Mariano Andujar saved German Herrera's spot kick and also blocked the rebound.

Andujar was the outstanding player as he continued to deny Gimnasia in the second half with his team down to 10 men.

Estudiantes defender Agustin Alayes was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 63rd minute.

The day's other derby, between defending champions San Lorenzo and promoted Huracan, ended 1-1.

Jonathan Bottinelli gave San Lorenzo a third minute lead and Paolo Goltz equalised for Osvaldo Ardiles's team in the 34th minute.