Tribhuvan Army Club wasted their opportunity to gain a three-point lead in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League table after being held to a goalless draw by the New Road Team, who had been reduced to 10 men, late into the match on Saturday.

NRT custodian, Ajit Prajapati, was instrumental in forcing a draw even as he was kept busy throughout the match by the Army team. Man of the match, Prajapati, was behind several brilliant saves that befuddled and frustrated the Army. At the end of Saturday’s game, the Army team is ahead of other teams in the tournament only by a point leaving the league wide open and heading towards a thrilling climax.

The New Road team were reduced to 10 men in the second minute of the second half additional time as Junior Onguene was issued his marching orders with a second yellow card for a foul on Army defender, Youddha Shahi. The Cameroonian midfielder had previously been booked four minutes earlier. But, the Army failed to reap benefits from the advantage at the fag end of the game and the match ended in a goalless draw.

The Army coach, Nabin Neupane, appreciated NRT goalkeeper Prajapati's performance. "We had several opportunities, but Ajit was simply fabulous in denying us the three points."

"Three points would have been valuable in our title quest. However, we still remain at the top," Neupane said. "We are creating many chances, more than our opponents, but somehow are lacking in terms of finishing. Despite working on it at the training ground, we have yet to produce the results in matches."

"NRT played defensive football and we failed to unlock them. However, I am certain that we will improve from here. We still have five matches to play and we are optimistic about bagging the title," he added.

Raju Kaji Shakya, the NRT coach was content with his team's performance, "Our camp is very happy as the boys worked hard to absorb the pressure of playing against Army and held them, which ensured they earned just a point."

"We wanted to earn all three points, but the one point is very important for us to finish among the top six," the former Nepal captain and coach added.

The Saturday stalemate kept the Army team at the top of the domestic tournament with 17 points, one point ahead of second-placed contenders, Machhindra and the third-ranked defending champions, Manang Marshyangdi Club. The last two teams are tied at 16 points, but are separated by a goal’s difference.

With 12 points, NRT find themselves fifth, two points behind four-time champions, Three Star Club, who have 14 points.

In another match played on Saturday, Sankata brushed aside Friends 1-0 with a solitary second-half goal from Ajaya Martins.

Fixtures

Nepal Police vs APF (1200 NST on Monday)

Machhindra vs Three Star (1500 NST on Monday)

Venue: Dashrath Stadium