Leaders escape with draw

Title aspirants Sheikh Jamal DC came from behind to play out a 1-1 draw against Mohammedan SC in their crucial encounter of the Nitol Tata Bangladesh Premier League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Towhidul Alam Sabuj provided the Black and Whites a lead in the 23rd minute only to be cancelled by a first-half stoppage-time strike from Nasir Chowdhury.
Their eighth draw in 23 matches put league leaders Sheikh Jamal in pole position of the table with 52 points, 12 clear of nearest rivals Abahani, and they now need only four points from as many matches to regain the coveted title they had clinched in their debut season in 2010-11.
Sheikh Jamal could have gotten closer to the title with a straight victory over Mohammedan; they never lost to them in the history of the professional football league but the Federation Cup champions were not up to mark in yesterday's match to and were quite fortunate to share points with the Black and Whites, who are now in third position with 38 points from 23 matches.
Mohammedan launched an attack within the first minute and went close to taking a lead but hitman Wahed Ahmed saw his tap-in from close denied by an incredible effort from goalkeeper Mazharul Islam Himel but they did not give up hope and took the deserved lead in the 23rd minute with Sabuj flicking in a low cross from winger Zahid Hossain.
Just before the break, Sheikh Jamal mustered a planned attack to restore parity when Nasir stabbed a diving header on a Shohel Rana cross to beat Mohammedan goalkeeper Titumir Chowdhury in the stoppage time of the first half.
After resumption, Mohammedan maintained their dominance over Shiekh Jamal to come close twice but Wahed squandered one while Sheikh Jamal goalkeeper Himel thwarted another effort from Zahid.