Hearts of Oak saw their recent Ghana Premier League resurgence checked as they were held to a pulsating 1-1 draw by Great Olympics in the Mantse derby on Sunday evening.
Having won their last five league outings to go top of the table, the Phobians surrendered a second-half lead as they dropped points against their city rivals who would be pleased the result having been second best at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Emmanuel Nettey scored a terrific half-volley to give the Phobians a deserved lead on 51 minutes. The midfielder hit the ball once when it fell onto his path.
Olympics players and technical staff protested the goal because they believe their goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was impeded when he punched the ball away from a corner kick. Asare could not continue and was replaced by Stephen Kwaku who put a commanding performance.
The goal gave Hearts impetus to drive forward for another goal. They did create chances but wasted them with Isaac Mensah hitting the post from close range.
Great Olympics were restricted to long balls as they tried to score. But on the 72nd minute, lack of concentration by Hearts of Oak defenders saw the home side restore parity. Maxwell Abbey Quaye who scored in the 2-0 first-round victory beat his marker at the far post to head home a superb delivery from the right.
In the first half, Isaac Mensah thought he had scored when his powerful effort from long range hit the underside of the Olympics crossbar, appeared to have gone past the line, before bouncing away from the net.
The draw leaves Hearts still top of the table but they are now level on points with fierce rivals Asante Kotoko with six matches to go while Olympics are five points behind in fourth place.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana
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