Heartland Football Club of Owerri on Sunday put up a sterling performance as they overcame Abia Warriors in the Oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.
The Naze Millionaires shot to the front first in a match that produced three goals inside the first 35 minutes of the encounter.
Murphy Ndukwe shot the former CAF Champions League finalists in front in 23 minutes and Nonso Nzediegwu made it two minutes later.
However, the veteran forward, Godwin Obaje, reduced the scoreline for the visitors in the 35th minute, as the home side held strongly and waved off attacks from the visitors to claim the whole three points.
Both teams are down at the relegation zone with Heartland sitting on the 17th spot with 28 points from 26 games while Abia Warriors are a step downward with 27 points from the same number of games played.
In Ilorin, Kwara United came from behind to beat the league leaders, Rivers United, 1-0, in a result that did little to affect their position as they remain four points clear at the summit.
In the results of other games played, Katsina United, playing at home, piped reigning champions, Akwa United, 1-0. Lobi Stars defeated Nasarawa United 2-1 at the Aper Aku Stadium, even as Remo Stars got past Wikki Tourists 1-0 in Remo, Abeokuta.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars and Shooting Stars shared the spoils as both teams fired blank. A similar result was recorded in the match between MFM and Enugu Rangers in Lagos.
Despite the results, Rivers United maintain their four-point lead on the table after Plateau United suffered a loss in one of the games played on Saturday. They lost 1-0 to Dakkada FC in Uyo.
From the rear, MFM is calling the shot on the 20th spot and is followed by Kano Pillars on the 19th place.
