Russia remained on top while Armenia, enjoying its best-ever qualifying campaign by playing its last four games unbeaten, climbed to second, two points behind.

Other Group B contenders Ireland and Slovakia played late Saturday, against Macedonia and last-place Andorra respectively.

Russia enjoyed most of the possession and missed a host of chances, while the host was visibly jittery when attacking, opting for long-range shots that rarely troubled Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.

Armenia had the first chance but Henrik Mkhitaryan fired low and straight at Akinfeyev from 20 meters in the seventh minute.

Russia's Alexander Kerzhakov connected too lightly when he glanced wide from a Roman Shishkin cross in the 15th.

Minutes later Akinfeyev parried away a long-range drive from Ghazaryan after a neat buildup.

Russia's first meaningful effort came on 23 minutes with a low drive straight at the goalkeeper from Alexander Kerzhakov after Alan Dzagoev played him through.

Armenia nearly handed the lead to Russia when an interception from defender Hrayr Mkoyan forced goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky into a reflex save after a Yury Zhirkov cross from the left.

The close call inspired Russia into a sustained period of pressure. Zhirkov beat two defenders and curled a shot toward Berezovsky's top corner, but he tipped the shot away. On the half-hour Igor Denisov played a one-two with Roman Shirokov to burst through, but dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.

The visitors missed a double chance just before halftime when Shirokov's goalbound drive was blocked by Mkoyan, and his followup shot was palmed away by Berezovsky.

Armenia came out with greater intent after the break with Ghazaryan shooting straight at Akinfeyev. Soon after, home midfielder Marcos Pizzelli squared a ball to striker Yura Movsisyan, but the striker fired wide from six meters with Akinfeyev beaten.

After Kerzhakov struck over from a tight angle, home substitute Edgar Manucharyan responded in kind from 20 meters despite being in acres of space on the edge of the Russian penalty area.

Dzagoyev came close on 66 minutes but an Armenian defender lunged to block, deflecting the ball just over the crossbar.

Berezovsky again rescued Armenia on 72 minutes, diving to smother a Kerzhakov shot after a surging midfield run and pass from Shirokov.

The goalkeeper watched a power drive from Kerzhakov 25 meters from goal sail just wide, then Shirokov's placed shot also narrowly missed.

Andrei Arshavin, ineffective for most of the match, curled a right-footed shot wide with 10 minutes left. Armenia defended resolutely throughout the final minutes despite Russia coach Dick Advocaat sending on attackers Pavel Pogrebnyak and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.