Rio de Janeiro, Oct 3 (IANS): Clarence Seedorf's Botafogo extended their winless run to four matches in the Campeonato Brasileiro with a 1-1 draw against reigning champions Fluminense.

Defender Bolivar equalised for Botafogo at the Maracana stadium after teenage forward Biro Biro put Fluminense ahead in the second minute here Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

The result kept Botafogo third in the standings with 43 points while Fluminense rose to seventh with 34.

Seedorf, who joined the Rio de Janeiro side last July after ending his 10-year career at AC Milan, said the result gave Botafogo a flicker of hope after three consecutive losses.

"Today we were unable to win but we at least showed that we aren't dead," Seedorf said. "Our focus now is to get as many points as possible by the end of the season."

Meanwhile Cruzeiro maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the standings with a 4-0 victory over Portuguesa while Gremio stayed second by defeating Atletico Paranaense 1-0.