Satdobato Youth Club missed their opportunity to retake the top spot in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League after they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Nepal Police Club in a drab match at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The draw means Satdobato are level on 17 points with Jawalakhel Youth Club but the latter occupy the summit due to superior goal difference. Jawalakhel had shocked record eight-time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club 3-0 on Saturday to move to the top.

Satdobato were far from their best and lacked intensity but Police failed to take advantage despite creating a number of opportunities in the final minutes of the first half.

Anjan Rai should have put Police in front in the 40th minute when Satdobato defenders took it too long to clear the ball allowing Rai to fire from near the penalty spot but his left-footed effort sailed over the bar.

Police’s Buddhabal Tamang wasted a chance in the 42nd minute after he reacted too slow to pick up a well-placed cross from captain Ramchandra Wajee.

Tamang also missed another opportunity to take the lead as he dived without calculation and way too early in his attempt to meet a cross from Saujan Rai.

Satdobato showed an improved display after the break but failed to capitalise on a few chances they created.

Dipak Raj Singh Thakuri set up Niraj Chaudhary with a near-perfect through ball three minutes into the second half but Police’s Wajee quickly warded off the danger.

Satdobato’s best chance came in the 65th minute when Umesh Rai’s corner fell in the foot of unmarked Abdul Latif Abubakari but the Ghanaian ended up firing wide from the six yard box.

Police climbed a spot up to the 13th position after collecting a point. They have five points from nine matches.

Earlier, Sankata Club defeated Armed Police Force (APF) Club 1-0 in a bad-tempered match that saw three players sent off at the Chyasal Stadium.

Nine-man Sankata’s Cameroonian forward Junior Onguene Nkengue scored the decisive goal in the 29th minute from the spot kick that was awarded to Sankata after Mali midfielder Adama Doumbia brought down Ayush Ghalan inside the penalty box.

The match had already been pushed 30 minutes back after the jersey colour of Sankata and APF goalkeepers clashed.

And more drama came when Sankata’s Manish Dangi and APF’s Dipesh Dhimal needlessly scuffled in the APF box after the break. Both were shown second yellow and sent off in the 69th minute.

Sankata’s Andre Thierry Biyik was sent off in the 76th minute for insulting the match referee.

The win sent Sankata up to fourth in the standings. APF lie in the ninth position with 11 points.