A Joackins Atudo late rocket was enough to hand Posta Rangers maximum points against Tusker on Wednesday.
The two teams played to a one all draw last weekend in the same venue, and with different intentions in mind, both needed three points desperately.
It was the champions, who started the match on a high note, and could have gone ahead in the 2nd minute. The George Nsimbe led side won a corner which was brought in from the left, and unmarked Humphrey Mieno headed it down to Michael Khamati, who failed to hit the target.
Less than a minute later, a seamless attack by the champions was cut short by a foul from the opponents on the edge of the eighteen yard box, but David Mwangi's low shot did not trouble Farouk Shikhalo in Rangers goal.
It was a wake up call for the Sammy Omollo led side, who reacted almost immediately. The ball was played to Edwin Mwaura, who crossed it into Tusker's danger zone. With the defenders desperate to clear the ball, it fell kindly toKennedy Otieno, who unfortunately was unable to direct the ball into the net.
It was Mwaura's last meaningful contribution as he was forced out in the 16th minute after getting injured, with John Nairuka taking his position. In the 24th minute, Ranger's defensive lapses played in Cercidy Okeyo, but the midfielder's low shot narrowly missed the target.
With almost five minutes to the break, the lively Jackson Macharia was fouled 25 yards from goal, but Collins Shivachi's fierce strike missed the target with the goalkeeper stranded.
After the break the mailmen came back stronger, going for an early goal, but the champions gave them no space. Nevertheless, they continued pushing for an opener, and in the 48th minute, they almost got it. Kennedy Otieno was on his way to the danger zone, but was brought down twenty yards from the goal.
The resulting free-kick missed the target by inches. In the 55th minute, former AFC Leopards man Mike Khamati was slipped in well, but shot straight into the goalkeeper. Seven minutes later, defensive lapses allowed Mukaisi into the danger zone, but captain James Situma recovered well to clear the danger.
Late into the match, keeper Duncan Ochieng was called into action deny Mukaisi, who had unleashed a fierce shot. With five minutes on the clock, Posta Rangers got a throw in in the opponent's third which was thrown straight into the net, but the referee did not allow it.
A minute or so later, the mail men got a free-kick 35 yards out, and captainJoackins Atudo unleashed an unstoppable rocket that went past Ochieng'.
Posta Rangers go top with 33 points, four less than fourth placed Tusker, who have collected one point from their last three matches.
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