Jawalakhel Youth Club finally ended their winless drought as they defeated Himalayan Sherpa Club 1-0 to reclaim the top spot in the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Jawalakhel had not recovered since Sherpa ended their three-match winning streak in the first leg on April 26 as they threw away a five-point lead and relinquished the top spot to in-form league debutants Church Boys United.

After snapping a three-match winless run, Jawalakhel are now back at the top having played a game more than second-placed CBU. Both the teams have 27 points but Jawalakhel occupy the summit thanks to better head-to-head record. Jawalakhel had beaten CBU 1-0 on April 22—their last win before Tuesday’s victory.

But CBU can return to the top if they beat a revitalised Machhindra Club on Wednesday.

A pay back win over Sherpa might have lifted Jawalakhel’s curse but the leaders’ intent for a maiden title is still questionable as they needed the help of an own-goal at the Dasharath Stadium.

They were gifted the goal in the 23rd minute by a howler from Sherpa goalkeeper Kishor Giri, whose impetuous punch in a corner from Abdulaziz Nishonbaev ricocheted off Amrit Shrestha before going back into his own net.

Sherpa were unlucky not to have got the equaliser in the sixth minute of the first half injury time as Abayomi Oluwaseun Fakunle's tight-angle effort deflected off Jawalakhel goalkeeper Ishwor Gurung before missing the target by inches.

Jawalakhel almost doubled their lead in the 83rd minute when player-of-the-match Hishub Thapaliya set Fode Fonana through in the penalty box but Giri was already aware and reacted quickly to ward off the danger.

Thapaliya should have added a second goal in the dying seconds when Fofana squared for him near the penalty spot but Thapaliya’s shot sailed over the bar.

Sherpa—whose five-match unbeaten streak came to an end—lie in the eighth position with 20 points. They had beaten Satdobato twice and won against Jawalakhel, Army and Police during that run.

Earlier, Satdobato’s poor run of form continued after they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against strugglers Sankata Club at the Chyasal Stadium.

Youssef Atriss hit the target twice in the 14th and 26th minute as Sankata moved three points away from the drop zone.

Satdobato, who had defeated Sankata 4-0 in the first leg fixture, are now winless in four straight matches. They lie in fifth position with 23 points.

Three Star failed to keep pressure on top after they played a goalless stalemate against New Road Team at the Dasharath stadium earlier in the day. Three Star have 25 points, two adrift of Jawalakhel and CBU.