Rejin Subba and Bishal Rai ‘B’ scored in either half as Machhindra reclaimed the top spot in the Martyrs Memorial 'A' Division League standings following a 2-0 win over Three Star Club on Monday.

Subba was introduced as a first-half substitute in the 28th minute in place of Dipak Rai following an injury to the Machhindra forward. He made an instant impact, finding the back of the net 10 minutes later. Three Star custodian Yves Priso had punched away the effort of Machhindra set-piece specialist Ranjit Dhimal. But Subba was perfectly placed inside the area to give his side a lead.

The four-time champions Three Star dominated possession and had their opportunities to equalise but failed to convert their chances.

Machhindra coach Prabesh Katuwal switched to a defensive strategy in the 74th minute by replacing goalscorer Subba with former Nepal captain and defender Biraj Maharjan to contain their lead.

However, with Three Star failing to plug their defensive holes, the Ganabahal side added another goal to claim the top spot from Tribhuvan Army Club, who they were trailing by a point before the kick-off. Three Star defenders failed to properly clear the ball after Machhindra's Adelaja Somide had failed to reach a cross from Bijay Dhimal. Taking the ball into his stride, Rai put away his right-footed shot in the 90th minute to seal a 2-0 win, sending a strong message to their competitors with a resounding win over strong opposition.

"I think the team played to our strategy, to win was very important, and the performance was very satisfying," Katuwal said in the post-match press conference.

Three Star coach Megh Raj KC conceded that his side were now out of the title race. "The match was good, but the result wasn't. Our focus is now towards cementing our place in the top six," he said.

After their ninth match of the season, Machhindra now find themselves two points ahead of Army at the top of the table. The departmental side have 17 points with a game in hand while the defending champions Manang Marshyangdi are third with 16 from eight matches.

Earlier, a solitary 13th-minute goal from captain Bhola Silwal helped Nepal Police Club secure a 1-0 win over Armed Police Force in the battle of the departmental teams. Silwal converted from the spot after Bharat Shah was brought down inside the box by APF defenders.

Police coach Ananta Raj Thapa attributed his team's improved performance for the win. "Boys played well from the beginning. We had to win and I am glad that we walk away with three points," Thapa said.

Rajendra Tamang, the APF coach, appreciated the performance despite the defeat, saying, "It was our best performance this season."

"We will now be paying close attention to the way Saraswoti play," said Tamang. "A win for us would keep us safe. We must have to produce results against bigger teams." The Armed Police Force are 13th in the standings, just a place and four points above Saraswoti, who have yet to win a match this season and are languishing in the bottom place with a single point. The relegation-threatened side, however, are yet to play their ninth-round match.