Narva Trans claimed their first Premium Liiga victory since 20 May and only their fourth league win of the season after defeating Pärnu Vaprus 3-1 in Saturday’s only Matchday 20 fixture.
The victory also marked the first under new head coach David Campana, whose side had opened his reign with defeats to Levadia and Harju.
Trans made a bright start and almost took the lead inside the opening minute when Doke attempted to catch goalkeeper Ott Nõmm off his line, only to curl his effort narrowly wide of the empty net. Vaprus gradually settled into the contest and enjoyed spells of possession, but the home side struck first in the 22nd minute.
Doke broke down the left flank before delivering a low cross into the six-yard box, where Nikita Baljabkin timed his run perfectly to slot the ball through Nõmm’s legs and give Trans a deserved lead.
Just four minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage with the goal of the game. After sustained pressure around the edge of the penalty area, the ball broke kindly for Ahmad Gero, who shifted it onto his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the top corner from distance.
Trans thought they had added a third shortly afterwards when Gero found the net again, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside after Baljabkin had strayed beyond the last defender in the build-up.
Vaprus created several opportunities before half-time but lacked their usual cutting edge. Joosep Põder was denied in a one-on-one situation by a superb last-ditch challenge from new signing Wisdom Awusi, while goalkeeper Daniil Pareiko also produced a number of important saves to preserve Trans’s two-goal advantage.
The visitors started the second half positively, but Trans continued to threaten on the counter-attack. Baljabkin was denied by a well-timed block before Doke sent a free-kick narrowly wide.
Vaprus finally found a way back into the contest in the 61st minute through Sander Kapper. After his initial move involving Mathias Villota was blocked inside the penalty area, the rebound fell kindly for the forward, who produced a clever looping finish over Pareiko to halve the deficit.
The goal gave Vaprus renewed belief and they pushed for an equaliser, forcing a succession of corners and spending long periods inside the Trans half. However, the home side defended resolutely and managed the closing stages intelligently, preventing the visitors from creating many clear-cut opportunities.
Deep into stoppage time, Trans sealed all three points. A long free-kick was worked back across goal by Baljabkin after a fortunate ricochet, allowing substitute Imeh John to tap home from close range and make it 3-1.
Awusi almost added a fourth moments later before Pareiko denied Virgo Vallik at the other end as Trans comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
The victory lifts Narva Trans to within four points of Kuressaare and provides a significant boost in their fight to climb away from the bottom of the Premium Liiga table.
JK Narv Trans vs Pärnu Vaprus – 3-1 (2-0)
Goals: Baljabkin 22′, Gero 27′, Imeh 90+3′ | Kapper 61′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
19 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 49 | 16 | 33 | 46 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
19 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 39 | 21 | 18 | 36 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 16 | 17 | 34 |
| 4 |  Paide |
19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 23 | 7 | 32 |
| 5 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
20 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 26 |
| 6 |  Tammeka |
18 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 21 | 26 | -5 | 26 |
| 7 |  Nõmme United |
20 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 39 | 46 | -7 | 25 |
| 8 |  Harju |
19 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 25 | 32 | -7 | 22 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
19 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 19 | 33 | -14 | 17 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
20 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 47 | -32 | 13 |
