FK Panevėžys ended their seven-match winless run across all competitions with a 2-0 away victory over FK TransINVEST in Round 26 of the Toplyga, as Serbian striker Marko Bacanin scored both goals.
TransINVEST came into the match on the back of two consecutive victories and knew a win would send them to the top of the league table. Meanwhile, Panevėžys were looking to end a miserable run of seven matches without victory, having last won on June 20 in a 3-2 success over FA Šiauliai.
A first half short on clear-cut chances was decided just before the break. Ernestas Burdzilauskas received the ball inside the penalty area with his back to goal before cleverly squaring it across the six-yard box, where Bacanin was perfectly positioned to finish from close range.
It was an important moment for the Serbian forward, who had missed a penalty in Panevėžys UEFA Conference League qualifier against Tobol two weeks earlier, but responded with a composed finish to hand his side the lead.
The visitors made the perfect start to the second half, doubling their advantage just a minute after the restart. Once again, Burdzilauskas was the provider, delivering an inviting cross from the left that initially appeared to be heading straight towards the goalkeeper. Bacanin reacted quickest, getting in front of his marker to divert the ball into the net for his second goal of the evening.
After failing to score in his first 14 league appearances of the season, the Serbian has now found the net three times in his last four Toplyga matches.
Although TransINVEST enjoyed more possession for much of the second half, they struggled to create meaningful opportunities against veteran goalkeeper Vytautas Černiauskas. Their best chance came in the 81st minute when Edvinas Girdvainis headed narrowly wide following a set-piece.
Panevėžys comfortably saw out the closing stages to record their first clean sheet since May 24 and secure an important three points.
The defeat means Marius Stankevičius TransINVEST missed the opportunity to move back to the top of the standings. They remain fourth with 35 points, two behind joint leaders Kauno Žalgiris and Džiugas Telšiai.
Panevėžys, meanwhile, climbed to seventh place after ending their lengthy winless streak. It was only their third away victory of the league campaign (3-0-8), with two of those wins having come against TransINVEST this season.
Panevėžys will look to make it back-to-back victories next Monday when they travel to face FA Šiauliai, while TransINVEST visit reigning champions Kauno Žalgiris a day earlier.
FK TransINVEST vs FK Panevežys – 0-2 (0-1)
Goals: Bacanin 42′ 46′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 40 | 15 | 25 | 37 |
| 2 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
23 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 34 | 27 | 7 | 37 |
| 3 |  FK Sūduva |
21 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 36 |
| 4 |  Transinvest |
23 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 35 |
| 5 |  FK Žalgiris |
21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 34 |
| 6 |  FK Banga |
22 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 25 | 19 | 6 | 33 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 21 | 38 | -17 | 23 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
24 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 41 | -15 | 22 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
23 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 50 | -28 | 13 |
