Bolstered by two overseas players in the squad Nepal Police Club tasted first victory in the Martyrs Memorial ‘A’ Division League on Monday defeating Friends Club 3-1 as misfiring Church Boys United (CBU) were held to a 0-0 stalemate by APF Football Club and leaders Manang Marshyangdi Club shared points with Three Star Club after a 1-1 draw.

Once upon a time giants Police’s quest for the victory materialised at the completion of seventh round after they recruited two Ghanaian players for the first time in the team’s history.

Forward Buddhabal Tamang struck twice after the break before newly recruited Moses Gyabaah Twum put Police ahead six minutes after the half time. Toric Jebrin hit back the consolation for Friends at the artificial turf of ANFA Complex at Satdobato.

The five times champion Police who last lifted the top tier trophy in 2011 but struggling for the past few years on the ground were bound to recruit foreign players after a run of poor results. They have lost the previous five and earned a draw – 1-1 against New Road Team (NRT) — and were languishing at the bottom of the table on one point.

The presence of Ghanaian players seemed to have made an impact as forward Moses Gyabaah Twum gave lead to Police six minutes into the second half. Tamang doubled the advantage in the 58th minute.

Ghanaian player Torric Jebrin cut the deficit three minutes from time but Police ensured after Tamang netted his second individual goal in the last minute of the match.

The first victory of the campaign came as a huge relief to Police who climbed one-spot from the bottom replacing Friends. They both, however, have four points each.

At the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar, CBU squandered numerous scoring opportunities and also struck twice at the woodwork against APF. The departmental sides’ Japanese glovesman Yuya Kuriyama also made some heroic saves to keep CBU at bay.

CBU, one among two unbeaten teams in the league along with leaders MMC, drew third match in a row and came level on third placed Satdobato Youth Club on 13 points. APF are fifth on 11 points.

CBU played without head coach following the resignation of American citizen of Nepali origin Pradip Humagain after he failed to obtain a mandatory work permit required for foreign national. But their goalkeeping coach Mihir Milind Sawant ruled out that Humagain’s exit made an impact on the team's performance.

“Coaches come and go but the main thing is team unity and commitment. We have both the spirits in the team. We were playing also without injured forward Anjan Bista,” said Sawant. “We played well but failed to win. We earned at least a point and we need to be happy about that.”

His APF counterpart Ratna Kaji Maharjan said that the outcome could have an impact on the team’s ambition of a top three finish. “We have come with an eye on three points and this draw could be a setback in our ambition,” said Maharjan who also pointed out flaws in his side’s midfield and defense line up.

In the late fixture at the Dasharath Stadium, record eight-time champions MMC struck a late goal to avoid their first defeat of the season.

Togo player Koffi Koudo headed the equaliser six minutes from time to cancel out veteran Santosh Sahukhala’s 78th minute lead for Three Star.

The outcome gives MMC a one-point cushion over Jawalakhel on top of the standings with 15 points from four wins and three draws. Three Star with three wins, two draws and as many defeats are sixth on 11 points.

Striker Sahukhala broke the deadlock in the 78th with a sensational volley at the far post after Loken Limbu’s header in a battle with defender Ranadip Paudel dropped ahead of him at the inner edge.

But the joy evaporated six minutes later after Togo forward Koudo rose high inside the area to convert Bhison Gurung’s long pass as Three Star Lebanese custodian Mohammad Taha lost his balance and slipped at the goalline.