BUENOS AIRES. Dec 11: Boca Juniors missing Diego Maradona because of a stomach upset, saw their Argen-Une championship hopes vir tually blown away when they lost 2-1 away to Estudiantes de La Plata, reports Reuter.

Five players including Boca goalkeeper Carlos Navarro Montoya, were sent off in Saturday night's match. He was dismissed with Estudiantes forward Martin Palermo in the 36th minute after the pair were Involved in a scuffle

Boca, who boasted a six-point lead three weeks ago. must now rely on leaders Velz losing their final two matches an unlikely scenario with Velz meeting bottom club Belgrano Cordoba on Sunday.

Velz went into the match with a one point lead over Boca.

Boca took the lead against Estudiantes Nestor Fabbri scoring from a corner in the 33rd minute. Estudiantes had been reduced to 10 men as early - as the 10th minute when Claudio Paris wss sent off

But Estudiantes captain Egardo Pratola equalised with a header in the 45th minute and Silvano Maciel struck the winner with barely a minute left.