Church Boys United missed their chance to stretch the gap on top of the Martyrs Memorial A-Division League standings after they played for a goalless draw against Manang Marshyangdi Club at the Chyasal Stadium in Lalitpur on Thursday.

Second-placed Machhindra Club and the third-placed Jawalakhel Youth Club had played for a 0-0 stalemate on Wednesday to hand Bal Gopal Maharjan’s CBU the edge in the title race. A win would have moved CBU five points clear at the top, but they drew a blank against the record eight-time champions.

The stalemate also means the exciting title race is going down to the wire and shaping up to be a three-way race as the season closes in towards the final rounds.

Machhindra are looking to clinch their third consecutive trophy in as many seasons, while CBU are aiming to win the country’s top-tier league in their debut season. Jawalakhel are bidding to lift their maiden trophy.

The outcome leaves CBU just three points above Machhindra, who have 35 points, and four clear of Jawalakhel.

Satdobato are in fourth position with 29 points.

The relegation battle is also hotting up after the Friends Club thrashed Satdobato Youth Club 4-0 to climb out of the bottom two.

Torric Jebrin scored a quick double after Rafiq Aminu and Prakash Budhathoki netted at the ANFA Complex as Friends ended their four-match winless streak. Friends moved up to the 12th position and are one-point away from Sankata, who have 23 points.

Khumaltar are at the bottom of standings with 21 points.

Pressure is piling on Manang as well after a seventh straight draw left them limping in the 11th position. They have 25 points from 21 matches, meaning they are in danger of being relegated to the B-Division League for the first time in their history.