Debutants Church Boys United’s ambitions of staying in title contention took a hammer blow after they lost 1-0 to Tribhuvan Army Club at the Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Gillespye Jung Karki scored the only goal of the match in the 12th minute as the departmental giants leapfrogged CBU in the third position in the 14-team standings with 19 points.

A second straight defeat—their only defeats of the season—puts CBU in the fourth spot. Their 10-match unbeaten run had come to a crashing end in a 1-0 defeat against leaders Jawalakhel earlier this week.

Army took the lead capitalising on a series of errors from CBU backline.

CBU goalkeeper Yves Priso was primarily at fault for the self-damage when his misplaced pass allowed Army to devise the attack. Army were soon everywhere as Bharat Khawas found the ball and set up for Nawayug Shrestha but Franklin Kuete Tala blocked the tame shot and took over the control. But Army continued to put pressure on a nervous CBU side and it paid off seconds later as Gillespye Jung Karki dispossessed Sushil Shah, danced past two defenders and punished Priso with a low drive.

It is the second match in a row CBU’s Cameroonian goalkeeper has committed a blunder, both coming in crunch fixtures. It was his howler that condemned CBU to their first defeat on Saturday when he let pass a weak shot from Jawalakhel’s Nkoto Masoabi through his legs.

Priso also committed another error in the 55th minute when he lost grip on the ball almost gifting Army another goal had Bharat Khawas not shot wide.

Nawayug should have doubled Army’s lead when he had a golden chance on a one-versus-one situation but Priso stretched to save the effort.

CBU’s Ranjit Singh Pandre missed an opportunity to equalise in the 50th minute when Aashish Chaudhary’s cross found him in a perfect position but Singh was too slow to act.

CBU pushed for an equaliser but Army goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu made a finger-tip save to ward off a shot from substitute Suvash Gurung.

-Fifth consecutive loss-

Manang Marshyangdi Club’s slump continued at the ANFA Complex after they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against relegation-threatened Nepal Police Club for a fifth successive defeat of the season.

It was the first time the record eight-time champions have lost five matches in a row in their club history.

Indian winger Muhammed Ashiq had a memorable debut as his goal from the spot kick in the 7th minute was enough to give Police a morale-boosting victory following their seven losses. Their only win came against Friends Club on April 10.

Police were awarded a penalty after Ranadip Paudel accidentally brought down Ghana forward Moses G Twum in the penalty area and Ashiq gave Manang goalkeeper Deep Karki no chance.

Earlier at the Dasharath Stadium, Friends defeated New Road Team (NRT) 3-1 after Rafiq Animu, Torric Jebrin and Prakash Budhathoki found the targets.

Sanjeeb Bista pulled back a consolation goal for NRT.

Friends’ Ghana striker Aminu put Friends ahead in the 14th minute converting a perfectly weighted through pass from Dona Thapa.

Bista equalised in the 41st minute tapping in a cross from Indian forward Lalnunzama after a good work from Cameroonian Jean Anicet.

But Jebrin put Friends back in the lead, scoring a free kick in the fourth minute of first half injury time.

Budhathoki wrapped up the victory in the 76th minute, poking a cross from Laxman Ruchal.