With their tenth win in 16 matches, Abahani returned to the top with 35 points, opening up a two-point lead over Muktijoddha -- who have played a match more -- and three ahead of 16-match Mohammedan.

On the other hand, Brothers' fifth loss in 16 games ensured that the defending two-time champions of the now-defunct premiership have crashed out of the title race completely as they stuck to 23 points.

The Oranges, who held Abahani to a goalless draw in the first leg, suffered early blows as fullback Lajuk, getting a start after a long break, picked up an injury two minutes after kick-off at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Indian coach Syed Nayee-muddin soon changed to a flat four-back system from 5-3-2 but it seemed that it was not a day for the future Bangladesh national coach as striker Tapu began to limp after ten minutes. He was eventually replaced by Manju midway through the first half when Brothers had to weather a sky-blue storm.

Abahani, however, failed to make most of the early pressure despite loud cheers from a 5,000-strong crowd.

An overlapping fullback Siraji played one-two with Ibrahim to make the first break but his low drive was blocked by Nizam at the Brothers goal after seven minutes. In the next minute, Ibrahim was unfortunate to see his powerful shot come off his teammate Emily before Nizam smothered on a long-range effort by Ujjal.

As Brothers regrouped, league's top scorer Junior caught Abahani central defender Pradip napping in the 19th minute but the Nigerian failed to keep his shot from 12 yards on target.

With Abahani's domination fizzling out, Hicham Inani let fly a 30-yarder but the Moroccan midfielder's shot skimmed the upright much to the relief of Abahani custodian Biplab.

Abahani, who had only one foreigner in the line up in Ibrahim, enjoyed superior ball possession after the break and it was the Ghanaian striker who won the penalty on the hour.

The robust forward, who went clear of the last defender inside the box with a quickly-taken low freekick by Ujjal, was tripped from behind by Brothers rightback Rony as referee Abdul Hannan pointed to the spot.

Nazrul, however, needed two shots to get a legitimate goal. The national defender, who had scored an injury-time match winner in their 1-0 first-leg win against Rahmatganj and struck home a penalty against the same side in the 7-0 second-leg demolition, put the ball beyond the keeper from the spot but he was asked to re-kick for reasons unknown.

Nazrul made it even better the second time, sending Nizam the wrong way to seal the victory with his third league goal.

Amalesh Sen's decision to send striker Tipu in place of Abul and pushing Ibrahim back to the midfield at one stage looked suspect as the tired Abahani legs failed to cope with the new positions.

The Oranges took control but they lacked the cutting edge, allowing their rivals from Dhanmondi to hit back with another series of attacks without any avail.

Ibrahim set Emily with a superb square pass on the edge of the area in the 83rd but the leading Abahani scorer placed the ball just wide despite Nizam was wrong-footed.

Emily made amends to the mistake in the next minute when he cut the ball from right for an unmarked Tipu, whose side-footed shot hit the sidebar.

Brothers got a half chance to equalise four minutes from time when the Abahani defenders half-cleared a ball but Mamun's low drive outside from the area was kicked out by Nazrul to safety, as Biplab was not required to make any serious save in the end.

Yellow cards: Biplab, Emily, Ibrahim (Abahani) and Masud Rana (Brothers).

TEAMS
ABAHANI: Biplab, Siraji, Nazrul, Pradip, Wali (Mintu), Zahed, Joy, Abul (Tipu), Ujjal, Ibrahim and Emily.

BROTHERS: Nizam, Lajuk (Faisal), Rony, Shuvra, Masud Rana, Shakil, Liton (Monwar), Inani, Mamun, Tapu (Manju) and Junior.

TOP SCORERS
14 goals: Junior (Brothers), Paul (Mohammedan)
9 goals: Emily (Abahani), Emeka (Mohammedan)
7 goals: Robin (Farashganj), Alfaz (Muktijoddha)
6 goals: Nicodemus (Arambagh), Abraham (Ctg Abahani), Younes (Russel), Moni (Muktijoddha)
5 goals: Khokon (Ctg Abahani)
4 goals: Prashanta, Mamun (Khulna Abahani), Ighir (Russel), Abul (Abahani), Brahim (Muktijoddha)
3 goals: Pikul, Tajul (Khulna Abahani), Ibrahim, Nazrul (Abahani), Apu (Rahmatganj), Biketi, Iddi (Arambagh), Asif (Ctg Mohammedan), Francis (Rahmatganj)