Jawalakhel Youth Club defeated Church Boys United (CBU) 1-0 to open up a five-point lead on the top in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Saturday.

CBU goalkeeper Yves Priso was guilty of an awful mistake in the 66th minute as the Cameroonian let a tame shot from N’Koto Masoabi through his legs and into the goal.

The Priso howler not only condemned CBU to their first defeat of the season but also a chance to leapfrog Jawalakhel to the top of the 14-team standings.

The win gave Jawalakhel 23 points from 11 matches. CBU remain in second with 18 points.

The top of the table clash saw see-saw of attacks at both ends, with CBU’s Mausham Subba finding the first chance two minutes into the game. Aashish Chaudhary squared with Joseph Owusu Bempah to set up Subba just outside the six-yard box but the midfielder fired over the bar.

Masoabi should have put Jawalakhel in front in the 19th minute when he found Bishal Tamang’s cross in the penalty area but the Lesotho forward could not find the target.

Aashish Chaudhary wasted a golden opportunity to give CBU the lead in the 25th minute as he headed a brilliant cross from Suvash Gurung off the post.

Joseph Bempah’s 42nd minute free kick almost evaded Jawalakhel goalkeeper Anish Deula when the ball ricocheted off the wall.

Jawalakhel’s best chance came a minute later. Fode Fonana showed his pace and sprint to create a chance but wasted it with an impetuous shot.

Hishub Thapaliya was unfortunate not to have got on the score sheet six minutes after the restart as his close-ranged shot deflected off Manoj Rai, hit the crossbar and went out of target.

But Jawalakhel broke the deadlock later after a comical error by Priso. Masoabi took over the control of the ball, raced from the middle of the field and fired from distance. Priso could have made it a routine save but instead allowed the ball to squeeze through his legs, gifting Jawalakhel with an important victory.

Earlier, Koffi Timothee Koudo missed a penalty as Manang Marshyangdi Club suffered a shock 2-1 loss against Khumaltar Youth Club at the Dasharath Stadium.

Messouke Oloumou scored either side of the half-time for Khumatar inflicting the record eight-time champions their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.

Oloumou put Manang in front in the 13th minute with an individual effort.

Koffi Timothee Koudo equalised from the spot kick eight minutes into the break after Bishal Basnet fouled Sumit Shrestha inside the box.

Manang had a golden chance to take the lead when they were awarded a second penalty after the hour mark as Abishek Verma badly challenged Randip Poudel. Koudo stepped up again but flashed wide.

And Oloumou broke Manang hearts hitting the target in the fifth minute of the injury time.

At the Chyasal Stadium, reigning champions Machhindra Club defeated Friends Club 2-1.

Chencho Gyeltshen and Devendra Tamang hit the targets for Machhindra. Rafiq Aminu pulled one back for Friends.