League leaders Ba Football Club maintained a narrow one-point advantage at the top of the Extra Premier League standings after being held to a 1-1 draw by Lautoka Football Club yesterday.
Ba made a strong start, with Vilitati Kautoga giving the Men in Black an early lead in the first half.
However, the match took a dramatic turn when Ba striker Etonia Dogalau was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Lautoka’s Simione Nabenu, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
The Blues pushed hard for an equaliser but were also reduced to 10 players after Nabenu was shown a red card for dangerous play.
Lautoka eventually found the breakthrough, with Rusiate Matererega heading home to rescue a point for the hosts.
Despite the draw, Ba remain on top of the table with 14 points, just ahead of Rewa Football Club on 13.
Rewa kept up the pressure with a commanding 4-1 victory over Nadi at Ratu Cakobau Park, thanks to goals from Norman Ngafu (2), Sitiveni Rakai and Semi Matawalu.
Suva climbed to third place after an emphatic 8-0 win over Tailevu Naitasiri, with Siotame Kubu netting a hat-trick.
Elsewhere, Nasinu edged Nadroga 2-1, while Labasa thrashed Navua 5-2 in their clash on Saturday.
