The Esfahan side could have reduced the gap on leaders Esteghlal to six points with a match in hand, but the loss in Kerman leaves them nine points adrift with only four games remaining.

Mes, who are playing in the top flight for the first time this season, took the lead through Brazilian striker Adriano Alves after only nine minutes and extended their advantage with a Babak Hatami strike in the 35th minute.

Abdul Wahab Abolheil pulled a goal back a minute into the second-half but the visitors were unable to find the crucial equaliser.

Elsewhere, Persepolis moved two points ahead of Sepahan into fifth place following a 1-0 victory at 10-man Saba Battery.

Farzad Ashobi scored a 31st-minute winner as the Tehran giants picked up three points against a Saba side reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of defender Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh.

Persepolis' bitter local rivals Estehglal now hold a two-point lead at the top of the table after their 1-1 draw with Esteghlal Ahvaz on Friday.

Second-placed Saipa, who beat Zob Ahan 2-0 on Friday, are tied with Esteghlal Ahvaz on 49 points.