A stoppage-time strike from Rubel Mia saw Abahani edge bitter rival Mohammedan 1-0 in the once famous Dhaka Derby at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Having survived a late scare from substitute Kingsley Chigozie, Abahani launched a counter attack from the right to complete a clinical finish in front of an approximately five thousand strong crowd, thanks to a placing shot by right-winger Rubel.

Mohammedan, playing without head coach Syed Naeemuddin for this Bangladesh Premier League tie, rued a missed opportunity after Kingsley failed to connect a low cross from Anik Hossain from hand-shaking distance on 90 minutes with Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam beaten. The men in Black and Whites virtually lost their concentration with the game rolling into the three-minute added

time with Abahani grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

Emeka Darlington headed down a cross from the right flank for Jibon, who then fed unmarked Rubel on the right-hand side of the six-yard box and the diminutive winger drove an angular shot past goalkeeper Mamun Khan two minutes into the added time. It was the first time Rubel was involved in a big match between Abahani and Mohammedan.

"It is a memorable strike in my life because Abahani beat Mohammedan with my goal. It was my first match playing for Abahani against Mohammedan. It was also my dream to play such a big match,” said an ecstatic Rubel after the encounter.

It was the third straight defeat for Mohammedan while Abahani returned to winning ways and raised their points to six following a shocking defeat at the hands of minnows Farashganj SC.

Mohammedan looked to be brimming with confidence from the outset and fought equally in the first

half against Abahani, who opted to strengthen their backline for this match by drafting in Nigerian defender Adams Samuel Jankasa in place of Nigerian striker Kingsley Chigozie's spot in the starting eleven.

Samuel, along with Linkon, Johurul Islam and Nasirul Islam successfully dealt with any pressure from the opponents to keep the

score-sheet clean for ninety minutes before ultimately conceding the decider during stoppage time.

On the other hand, Mohammedan looked tired from the get-go of the second half while Abahani kept the play inside Mohammedan territory and created a couple of good chances. Mohammedan goalkeeper Mamun Khan did manage to thwart all of

Abahani attempts before conceding the lone goal. Abahani striker Emeka also rattled the crossbar once.

In the day's earlier match, Chittagong Abahani extended their winning streak by notching up a 2-0 win over Team BJMC.

After a barren first haldf, Nigerian striker Afeez Olawale Oladipo and Towhidul Alam Sabuz struck one goal apiece to ensure a third win from as many matches to place the Chittagong outfit on top of the 12-team table with nine points, three more than Sheikh Jamal DC who however, have played a match less.

On the other hand, Team BJMC has one point after suffering two straight defeats.

BJMC held back their superior opponents till the 63rd minute but Afeez broke the deadlock by driving on right-back Mansur Amin's cross from inside the danger zone. Sabuz ultimately wrapped up the victory by shooting an angular pass from Mansur to the far post, raising his goal tally to three from as many matches.