Timur Melekestsev double gives Arsenal first win under returning coach

Arsenal of Tula beat Spartak Kostroma 3-2 in the First League's 13th round. It was the team's first competitive victory since Dmitry Alenichev returned as head coach.

Timur Melekestsev opened the scoring in the sixth minute, and Artyom Biryukov doubled the hosts' lead in the 23rd. Spartak Kostroma replied late in the first half: Amur Kalmykov converted a penalty in the 37th minute before Oleg Nikiforenko equalized in the 38th.

Melekestsev scored the winner in the 76th minute to complete his double. RIA Novosti reported that Arsenal ended a five-game winless run in the First League. Alenichev returned to the club on September 15.

Arsenal now has 16 points and moved up to ninth in Russia's second-tier competition. Spartak Kostroma remains third with 24 points.

In the next round on October 17, Arsenal will visit Ufa. Spartak Kostroma hosts Leningradets on the same day.