AMSTERDAM – Cole Grossman worked a strong shift in midfield as Bob Bradley's Stabæk held on for a 3-2 home victory over Danny Cruz and Bodø/Glimt.
The former Real Salt Lake man helped set up the goal that put Stabæk ahead to stay at the hour mark. Grossman released Adama Diomande, who generously squared for Ernest Asante to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Grossman also narrowly missed piling on a late insurance goal, but it was not needed to keep the Blue Ones in second place, three points shy of Tippeligaen leaders Rosenborg. Cruz, on the other hand, put in 65 quiet minutes for 15th place Glimt, who kept Zarek Valentin on the bench for this contest.
Around the league, Rhett Bernstein and Mjøndalen were forced to a settle for a 1-1 draw against visiting Sarpsborg 08.
With back-up netminder Quentin Westberg watching from the Sarpsborg dugout, the visitors tied the match with just three minutes to play. After a Bernstein clearance attempt was blocked from escaping the Mjøndalen area, Bojan Zajić was able to bag a deflected equalizer. The 11th place risers remained winless in four, but were able to snap a three-game losing skid.
Viking defender A.J. Soares made a pair of big early line clearances, but it was not enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat at Lillestrøm. The sixth-place side have suddenly lost two straight after winning five of six.
Alex DeJohn worked 76 minutes as slumping IK Start dropped a 1-0 home result to Strømsgodset. The Kristiansand crew have suffered three losses in the last four games to slip down to 12th place.
