No reprieve for Sunshine Stars in the Northeast as Gombe United claimed all points in a closely fought matchday 27 contest at the Pantami.
Both team went for it from the get-go with Kolade Adeniji first to register an attempt at goal after two minutes; he fired just wide from an acute angle at the end of a sweeping team move.
Then 16 minutes later the hosts had their noses in front through Alege Abdulqadir who headed into an empty net off a free kick while Japhet Opubo looked impeded.
The Owena Whales’ search for a leveller nearly yielded result when Adeniji was released inside the area after the half hour mark, but the forward could not guide on target under pressure.
Next to try for the Emmanuel Deutcsh’s tutored side was Ike Brandon who powered a pile driver past the goalkeeper only to be denied a worldie by the frame at the stroke of half time.
The sides put up a more thrilling show after the break, and while Gombe were rescued again by the frame when Habib Yakub went close with a deflect ball, Opubo pulled series of saves to keep his side in the contest.
The Savannah Scorpions almost put the game to bed 19 minutes from time however, Anthony Anioke made a decisive goal line clearance to set up a tensed finale.
Deutcsh rang the changes, introducing Pius Ojo and handing homegrown talent, Femi Saheyi his debut, and the former nearly prove decisive in added time with a deflected shot at goal range.
No equaliser could be found as the hosts ran away with all points while Sunshine Stars will now regroup for the visit of Akwa United on matchday 28.
