A plucky Xi'an Zhongxin put a halt to Dalian Shide's winning streak in the Chinese Super League after a disputed 1-1 draw away to the eight-time domestic champion at the weekend.

Xi'an manager Cheng Yaodong was sent off for storming onto the pitch moments before the interval in protest against the referee's decision to deny the visitors a penalty.

Striker Li Yi was ruled to have dived when he was upended in the area by Dalian defender Zhang Yaokun in the 43rd minute, a call that sparked outrage on the Xi'an bench.

Cheng, along with his assistants, engaged in a war of words with the officials, for which he was given his marching orders. In defiance of the decision, Xi'an's bench players and the rest of the coaching staff followed Cheng into the stands.

Although the entourage returned to the sidelines after the half-time break, Xi'an could face further sanctions from the Chinese Football Association for contempt of referees.

Midfielder Wang Yun put the visitors ahead only four minutes into the third-round CSL tie.

Dalian, hoping to extend its 100 per cent record in the league, leveled in the 41st through a sweetly struck Zhao Xuri effort from the curve.

The hosts piled on the pressure in the second half but Xi'an held on to take home a point as Dalian, with seven points, slipped to second in the CSL standings on goal difference.

Tianjin took advantage of Dalian's slip, prevailing 2-1 away at Xiamen Lions to take top spot, also on seven points.

Behind the duo in the standings, Shandong Luneng closed in after a crisp 3-0 win over Qingdao Zhongneng; promoted side Zhejiang Lvcheng scored its maiden top-flight win (2-0) at the expense of Changchun Yatai; Henan Jianye shared the spoils with Shanghai Shenhua in a goalless draw; Beijing Guo'an was held goalless by Wuhan Guanggu in a snoozer; and Liaoning FC beat Changsha Ginde 1-0.

(Shanghai Daily March 19, 2007)