Rafiq Aminu scored in the second half to help Friends Club salvage a 1-1 draw with Armed Police Force Club in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato, Lalitpur on Thursday.

Pradip Lama put the departmental side in the lead in the 27th minute. Nabin Lama, who had missed the target by inches moments ago, set up a through ball for Pradip to slam into the back of the net from outside of the box.

But Ghanaian Aminu cancelled out Pradip’s lead in the 52nd minute when he drilled a low shot past APF goalkeeper Anjal Shrestha, who came off his line to make the clearance.

The draw dented APF’s hopes of pushing for title contention as they sit in the sixth position with 18 points.

Friends lie in the ninth position, level on 15 points with Manang Marshyangdi Club and Sankata Club.

At the Dasharath Stadium, Ahmad Hijazi scored a brace as bottom-placed Nepal Police Club boosted their hopes of survival with a 3-1 win over Khumaltar Youth Club.

Hijazi gave Police the lead in the 27th minute tapping in a rebound after Khumaltar goalkeeper Dev Limbu blocked Moses Gyabaah’s header.

Messouke Oloumou equalised in the 54th minute capitalising on Police defenders’ failure to clear the ball in the penalty box. It was Oloumou’s 10th goal of the season.

Gyabaah put Police back in the lead in the 84th minute, converting a pass from Sergi Dicka, and Hijazi put the game to bed in the injury time scoring from the spot kick after Khumaltar goalie Limbu tripped Hijazi inside the box.