St. Petersburg, Sep 14 (IANS): Russia's Zenit St. Petersburg overcame a stiff challenge from second-placed Dinamo Moscow to extend their lead to six points at the top of the Russian Premier League after a 3-2 thriller at the Petrovsky Stadium here.

Mathieu Valbuena opened scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute Saturday night before Dinamo defender Douglas found the back of his own net to level scores on the half-hour mark, reports Xinhua.

A goal from local hero Andrei Arshavin just before half-time appeared to have proved decisive for Zenit until a Christopher Samba equaliser in the 82nd minute threatened to spoil the party.

Only an 89th-minute goal from defender Igor Smolnikov saved the hosts' perfect league record.

Zenit have now won their first seven Russian Premier League matches under new manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Over the next few days the club will turn their attention to European football, with a UEFA Champions League group clash against Portuguese club Benfica scheduled in Lisbon Tuesday.

Zenit have been drawn in Group C alongside Benfica, Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen.