Zenit St Petersburg's defence of their Russian Premier League title is over following a 1-1 draw with Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday.

The result left Zenit three points behind leaders CSKA Moscow but the outgoing champions have only one match remaining -- even if the two clubs finish level on points, CSKA would finish above Zenit due to a higher number of wins this season.

"Today we played against the team which play very well in defence and are confident on counter-attacks," Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas said.

"The battle for the title is over. And it will be very hard to get a place in next season's Champions League."

Zenit started brightly as Brazilian sharpshooter Hulk opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a precise spot-kick after Artem Dzyuba was fouled in the area.

But twice former champions Lokomotiv pulled level in first-half injury-time through Alexander Samedov, who also scored from the spot after Mauricio brought down Rifat Zhemaletdinov.

After the match, Lokomotiv head coach Igor Cherevchenko insisted Lokomotiv would battle for a place in next season's Europa League.

"I'm proud of my players," he said.

"We still have mathematical chances to earn a place in the Europa League. And we will fight to the bitter end for it."

Elsewhere, Anzhi Makhachkala beat Mordovia Saransk 3-0 to pull clear of the relegation zone.

French striker Yannick Boli put Anzi ahead in the 39th minute with an overhead kick from 15 yards.

Armenian midfielder Karlen Mkrtchyan added the second in the 57th minute, while full-back Magomed Musalov rounded off the scoring in stoppage time to lift Anzhi into 12th.

In Sunday's early match, Samara and two-time former champions Rubin Kazan played out a 1-1 draw.

Belgian striker Gianni Bruno put Samara into the lead seven minutes after the interval but Croatia midfielder Mijo Caktas pulled the scores level with a precise spotkick in the 89th minute.