Lobi Stars of Makurdi on Sunday equalled NPFL table toppers Enugu Rangers on points but still second on goal difference.
The Markurdi based clubside defeated front runners Enyimba 1-0 in Lafia while Rangers push for the championship suffered a setback at Katsina United as they lost 4-3 in Katsina.
Alao Danbani was the second-half match winner for Lobi, who now have 51 points from 29 games, same as Rangers but with superior goal difference.
Remo Stars are third in the standings courtesy of a 2-1 home win over Akwa United Friday.
At the other end of the table, Gombe United woes continued when they fell 5-0 to the resurgent Niger Tornadoes.
Clinton Jephtha fired a brace for the ‘Ikon Allah’ boys.
Gombe United remain rock bottom with 22 points from 29 matches.
Heartland beat Sporting Lagos 3-1, but that has not improved their standings as they are still second from bottom on 25 points.
Bayelsa United and Sunshine Stars shared the spoils after Muniru gave Bayelsa the lead in the 38th minute and Tunde Adeniji ensured that Sunshine Stars left with at least a point.
Kwara United and Bendel Insurance also played out a draw as Ejeh Isiah’s penalty goal cancelled out Azeez Falolu’s sixth minute opener as the Benin Arsenals move to 11th position.
The loss at Katsina United ended Rangers nine-game unbeaten run.
Alao Danbani scored the decisive goal two minutes before the hour mark.
Lobi Stars moved to second position on the table following the win.
NPFL Results
Sunshine Stars 1-1 Bayelsa Utd
Lobi 1-0 Enyimba
Heartland 3-1
Sporting Lagos
Katsina Utd 4-3 Rangers
Kwara Utd 1-1 Bendel Insurance
Tornadoes 5-0 Gombe Utd