Nepal Police Club missed their chance to leapfrog Tribhuvan Army Club to the second spot in the ANFA Women’s League after they were held to a goalless stalemate by sixth-placed Chandrapur Municipality at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur on Wednesday.

Police also had to rely on a goalkeeping heroics from Usha Nath to avoid a shock loss late in the game as the goalkeeper saved a penalty kick from Dil Kumari Magar, helping the departmental side preserve their unbeaten run in the league.

The draw—second in a row and third in the season—will still have damaging consequences to Police as the outcome left them four points adrift of leaders and reigning champions Armed Police Force Club, who are on 16 points.

Police have 12 points from six games.

Army occupy second position with 13 points.

Police were not at their best and had to wait until the 34th minute to have a clean chance at goal when Niru Thapa outran two Chandrapur defenders to set up Nirmala Upadhyaya inside the penalty area but Chandrapur goalkeeper Usha Thapa reacted quickly to save Upadhyaya’s shot.

Niru also set up Anuska Sherpa with a beautiful through pass in the final minute of the first half but Chandrapur goalkeeper Thapa came to the rescue again with her quick thinking.

Chandrapur came close to scoring in the injury time of the first half after a poor defending from Samikshya Ghimire allowed Sunita Sunar from an open play but she ended up shooting wide.

Police almost found the lead five minutes into the break when Niru’s strike beat Chandrapur’s goalie Usha, who had come far off the post to check Ghim Kumari Gurung’s clever pass, but the shot could not find the target.

Chandrapur had a golden chance to punish misfiring Police in the 71st minute from the penalty kick. They were awarded the penalty after Ghimire handled the ball inside the area but Police goalkeeper Nath stretched full length to deny Magar and saved her side from the jaws of defeat.

In the later action, Karnali Province registered their first victory of the season with a 3-0 victory against Sudurpaschim Province.

Bhumika Budhathoki put Karnali in front in the 24th minute capitalising on an opportunity by Garima Rai, who twisted and turned to outwit Sudurpaschim defenders before putting it on the plate for Budhathoki.

Rai then combined with Budhathoki to double Karnali’s lead in the 62nd minute, before Barsha Oli finished off a counter attack to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Karnali stayed in the ninth position with four points.

Sudurpaschim are rock bottom after facing their sixth defeat in six matches.

Bagmati Youth Club play against Waling Municipality on Thursday.