New Road Team defeated a misfiring Three Star Club 1-0 in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division league at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Friday.

Sanjeeb Bista scored the decisive goal for NRT after Three Star’s Santosh Shahukhala missed from the spot as NRT moved three points away from relegation zone.

Four-time champions, Three Star, were looking to climb to the summit of the A-Division League standings with a win and Santosh Shahukhala had a golden opportunity to accomplish the mission when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute after Gaurab Shrestha brought down Peter Segun inside the box.

Shahukhala stepped up to take the penalty. Even though he was able to send NRT goalkeeper Santosh Mahat the wrong way, his shot flashed wide.

NRT punished Three Star minutes later through Bista who slammed the back of the net from a close range when Saroj Tamang’s powerful shot rebounded off the Three Star goalkeeper Taha Mohamad before falling onto his feet.

NRT were lucky not to have conceded in the 67th minute when Shahukhala’s brilliant free kick rebounded off NRT goalie Mahat and found Dipesh Gurung near the six-yard box, but his effort went off the target.

Three Star had an excellent chance to equalise in the fourth minute of the second-half injury time when NRT goalie Mahat failed to grab the ball and gave away the possession to Segun but the Nigerian forward fired off target.

Ashok Khawas made a last-ditch effort to avoid defeat in the dying moments, lifting a long ball towards the goal which fell to Sunny Byanjankar following goalie Mahat’s unsuccessful effort to punch it away. But Byanjankar’s header lacked the golden touch as the ball missed the post, by inches.

The defeat—their third this season—denied Three Star a chance to leapfrog leaders Jawalakhel Youth Club, whose surprise 2-1 defeat against relegation strugglers Himalayan Sherpa Club on Wednesday had left the top race wide open.

Jawalakhel are only one point ahead of Three Star—who have 22 points—but have a match in hand. They can wrap up the first half of the season on top with a win over Sankata Club on Friday.

Meanwhile, NRT climbed to the eighth position with 16 points from 13 matches.

The day’s other clash between Tribhuvan Army Club and Sherpa was postponed for Saturday afternoon as the time and venue of the match clashed with the inaugural ceremony of the President Running Shield.