Nasarawa United have gone top of the Nigeria Premier League after coming from behind to defeat Abia Warriors in Lafia while Sharks fell to a home defeat against Akwa United to relinquish top spot.

Sharks had previously gone 10 matches without defeat to hold top spot but first half goals from Godspower Aniefiok and Ezekiel Bassey condemned Sharks to a third successive league defeat.

Both sides meanwhile finished the match with 10 men each, with Sharks striker Christian Pyagbara and Akwa United’s Godspower Igudia getting sent off a minute before Fortune Omoniwari scored Sharks’ consolation goal in second half stoppage time.

The result in Port-Harcourt allowed Nasarawa to go a point clear of Sharks as goals from Esosa Igbinoa in first half stoppage time, Sola Sogbeso from the penalty spot just before the hour mark and Musa Adamu 12 minutes from time cancelled out Ifeanyi Onyeali’s goal for Abia Warriors to seal a 3-1 win for Nasarawa.

Elsewhere, Enyimba squandered their chance to go top of the Nigeria Premier League after being held to a goalless draw by Giwa FC in Aba while a first half penalty by Bright Ejike gave Heartland a 1-0 win over Lobi Stars in Owerri.

In other matchday 19 results today, a stoppage time goal earned Sunshine Stars a 2-2 draw at Nembe City in Omoku, Bayelsa United came away from Ibadan with a 2-2 draw at Crown FC while Kaduna United beat Warri Wolves by a lone goal.

Gombe United also got a lone goal win at home to FC Taraba while the match between Kano Pillars and Dolphins as well as El-Kanemi’s match against Rangers were postponed in honour for former Emir of Kano Ado Bayero who died on Friday.

Nasarawa now lead the league with 31 points from 19 matches while Sharks is second with 30 points, Enyimba lies in third place with 29 points and Kano Pillars occupy fourth spot with 28 points.

Defending league champions Kano Pillars however now have two games in hand on their early title rivals.