Gombe United were denied their first away win in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League season (NPFL) as relegation threatened Heartland fought back to force them to a 1-1 draw in the week 11 match played yesterday at the Dan Anyiam stadium in Owerri.
Jonathan Alukwu’s scrappy goal eight minutes from time rescued the hosts from what would have been their sixth consecutive defeat.
It was Heartland who threatened to draw the first blood in the 15th minute when a sweet move from Ebuka Okoro found Jonathan Alukwu close to the visitors’ box but he instead passed to Chukwudi Nwaodu who wasted time to shoot before the ball was intercepted by Chidera Eze and Usman Abbas.
Gombe United also came close in the 34th minute when Ibrahim Yahaya had a chance to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Femi Thomas but the same Gbadamosi made a last ditch effort to send the ball to corner kick.
However the visitors broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Ibrahim Yahaya effortlessly dribbled Ikenna Stephen close to the near post and laid a pass to Chidera Eze who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for the curtain raiser.
On resumption, Heartland were handed the opportunity to level scores from the spot but Gbadamosi skied his effort well off target.
Jonathan Alukwu finally equalised for Heartland in the 84th minute through a goalmouth scramble from a free-kick taken by Samuel Okon.
Two minutes before regulation time, United almost restored their lead when Gbadamosi played a back pass to Femi Thomas who fumbled with the ball under pressure from Yusuf Abdulazeez before the ball rolled out for a corner kick.
The 1-1 draw brought to an end Heartland’s losing streak as they had gone five matches without a point. Their last victory came at home against Wikki Tourists on January 9.
Heartland lost twice at home to Kano Pillars (1-0, week 9) and Enugu Rangers (3-0, week 7) while their away losses came at Abia Warriors (1-0, week 6), Rivers United (3-0, week 8) and 3SC (4-0, week 10).
For Gombe United, the draw is their second in the campaign having forced Nasarawa United to a1-1 draw in week 2.
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