Sheikh Russel's Ghanaian striker Moro Mohammad (R) is tackled by Arambagh's Maloy Barmon during their Bangladesh League clash at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: STAR

Arambagh KS held Sheikh Russel KC to a 2-2 draw in an exciting encounter of the Bangladesh League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Kenyan Nicodemus Anunda and Nigerian Subair Mohammad Omobolaji struck one goal each for Arambagh while Mohammad Rony and Moro Mohammad netted for Sheikh Russel in the entertaining match.

But the game finished in acrimonious circumstances after Sheik Russel thought they had scored in the last seconds of the game. A controversial decision by referee Tayeb Hasan saw him rule out the goal for an earlier impeachment. It was a decision that prompted much chagrin amongst the crowd at players alike with play having to be halted for about twenty minutes before the game petered out to a draw.

Away at MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong Mohammedan tasted their first victory with a 2-0 win over visiting Rahmatganj MFS with Touhidul Islam slamming both goals.

The first draw in three matches means Sheikh Russel slip to the second position with seven, two points less than joint leaders Abahani and Mohammedan.

Minnows Arambagah, on the other hand, still remained unbeaten with five points and stay at the third place after three outings.

With two straight wins against Shuktara Jubo Sangsad and Muktijoddha Sangsad, Sheikh Russel took the field high on confidence, but they faced a tough challenge from a bogey side, who had earlier thrashed Chittagong Mohammedan 6-1 and played a goalless draw against Brothers Union.

The game was packed with attacking football and simply no side could establish their supremacy throughout the game though Sheikh Russel yielded the first opportunity when Omari mustered his shot on the target inside the box, but goalkeeper Mitul Hasan denied the Moroccan striker 10 minutes after the play started.

Arambagah, however, went ahead in the 39th minute through a combined attack when Ugandan Kabuye Dominic and Nicodemus played a fine one-two to enter the danger zone before the latter hammered a low drive past Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel.

However, Arambagh's enjoyment did not last long as Sheikh Russel just one minute later pulled the goal back to shock Arambagh and went for a break with a 1-1 lock. Omari whipped a cross from left and Mohammad Rony rose highest to find the back of Arambagh net.

After the lemon break, Sheikh Russel started to control the match and Ghanaian Moro Mohammad gave them a 2-1 lead when the Ghanaian striker headed a Mobarrak Hossain cross from close range in the 57th minute.

Then Arambagh bit back six minutes later with another attack to level the margin when a Subair grounder off an Alfaz Ahmed cross went past goalkeeper Himel.

However, the game was halted for about 20 minutes following a decision taken by referee Tayeb Hasan, who ruled out Sheikh Russel's Omari's dying minute strike because of his foul on an Arambagah defender.

Sheikh Russel players and supporters protested the referee decision. However, the play resumed after both side calmed down and referee completed the remaining a couple of minutes to finish the match.

Over in Chittagong, after the barren first half, Touhidul put hosts Chittagong Abahani ahead in the 75th minute and sealed the match one minute from time striking his second goal.