Ponte Preta draw again, Botafogo third

Campeonato Paulista leaders Ponte Preta were held to their fourth draw in five matches, while Botafogo climbed to third place on Saturday.

Ponte Preta travelled to Linense for a 0-0 stalemate, with neither side able to break the deadlock in a tense clash.

Despite the result, Ponte Preta remain unbeaten on top of the table, one point clear of Sao Paulo, who have two games in hand.

Meanwhile, 10-man Botafogo held on for a 1-0 victory against bottom-placed Sao Caetano.

Francis scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, with Botafogo securing the win despite the dismissal of Cris for a second offence three minutes later.

Botafogo trail Ponte Preta by two points, while only one point separates third and sixth on the table. 

Elsewhere, second-half goals from Edson Sitta and Gilberto Santos guided Atletico Sorocaba to a 2-1 win over Bragantino.