Own goal keeps Velez in touch with Boca Juniors

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Velez Sarsfield kept up the pressure on Argentine championship leaders Boca Juniors when a late own goal gifted them a 2-1 victory at Gimnasia-Jujuy on Sunday.

Gimnasia's Marcelo Berza deflected Ariel Broggi's cross into his own net with nine minutes remaining to keep the defending champions one point behind Boca in second place.

Midfielder Emanuel Centurion put Velez ahead with a 52nd minute penalty, but the team from Argentina's far north appeared to have earned a draw when Franco Sosa headed the equaliser seven minutes later.

Gimnasia had midfielder Maximiliano Salas sent off for a second bookable offence in the 72nd minute.

Boca, who have 27 points from 12 games, stayed top with an unimpressive 2-1 win over struggling Newell's Old Boys on Saturday thanks to Rodrigo Palacio's second half winner.

Federico Insua put Boca ahead in the 33rd minute but Newell's, who are 19th in the 20-team table, levelled when Fernando Belluschi lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri from Ariel Ortega's pass.

Veteran Uruguay defender Paolo Montero, signed earlier this year from Juventus, headed the winner as San Lorenzo came from behind to beat Racing Club 2-1.

Chilean forward Jose Luis Villanueva missed a first half penalty for Racing, but made amends when he put them ahead in the 52nd minute.

Ezequiel Lavezza levelled for San Lorenzo before Montero headed the winner after a goalkeeper Gustavo Campagnuolo misjudged a corner.