Church Boys United (CBU) climbed to the second position in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League with a 2-1 victory over Satdobato Youth Club at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Aashish Chaudhary and Milan Rai found the targets either side of the half-time as the league debutants finally snapped their run of six consecutive draws, giving their new coach Bal Gopal Maharjan his first win after he entered the dugout one week ago.

This was their fourth victory in 10 matches, meaning they now remain the only team to stay unbeaten in the league.

Victory against Satdobato gave them 18 points. They are two points behind leaders Jawalakhel Youth Club.

Three Star Club defeated relegation strugglers Himalayan Sherpa 1-0 at the ANFA Complex Satdobato earlier to temporarily occupy second spot, also on 18 points. But CBU remain above them due to superior goal difference.

Aashish put CBU in front in the 7th minute with a double effort in a frantic opening, taking advantage of a defensive error from Ivan Meric.

The Serbian centreback’s indiscreet back pass into the area allowed Aashish to take control and shoot past advancing Satdobato goalkeeper Abishek Baral. Satdobato’s Ekraj Budhathoki raced to stop the ball at the goal line but his poor clearance enabled Aashish to slam into the back of the net.

Niraj Chaudhary equalised in the 34th minute. A slipshod CBU defending left Niraj unchecked, allowing the Satdobato attacker to head in a corner from close range.

Milan Rai replaced Suvash Gurung after the break and he quickly made an impact 19 seconds into the second half converting a cross from Sushil Shah.

Aashish rattled the bar two minutes later and Niraj’s left-footed half-volley missed the target by an inch in the 58th minute.

Franklin Kuete Talla should have furthered the CBU’s advantage in the 84th minute when the ball fell on his foot inside the six yard box but the Cameroonian could not capitalise on the chance.

Satdobato stay in fourth position with 17 points.

At ANFA Complex, Laken Limbu scored the winner for Three Star in the 14th minute when his low drive deflected off Sanjeet Rai before evading Sherpa goalkeeper Kishor Giri.

Sherpa had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 48th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Peter Segun brought down Abayomi Oluwaseun Fakunle inside the box. But Biswash Shrestha fired over the bar.

Three Star’s Aditya Shakya, who tested Giri with his long rangers at both ends of the restart, set up Ajayi Martins inside the box with a near perfect pass in the 66th minute but the Nigerian flashed wide.

The defeat leaves Sherpa second from bottom in the 14-team table with nine points.