Highly rated Asante Kotoko defeated troublesome Division One League side BYF Academy on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.

A 47th minute strike by Kwame Boateng was equalised in additional time by Thomas Gyawu to throw the game to the lottery of penalty kicks which the Porcupine Warriors won.

The fiercely contested game produced no goal in the first half with BYF Academy looking more defensive and cautious, leaving Asante Kotoko frustrated after several attempts to break the virginity of the game.

Kotoko returned in the second half with a more relaxed approach with BYF looking poised to pounce.

A beautifully taken cross from Baba Mahama was neatly connected by Kwame Boateng to give the Porcupine Warriors the lead with just two minutes into the second half.

Ten minutes later, substitute Isaac Mintah picked on his markers from the midfield, skilfully dribbled two Kotoko defenders and hit a thunderbolt of a shot under the roof of the Kotoko net to cancel the lead but referee Amofah Sarkodie outrageously disallowed the spectacular goal.

The dubious decision brought the game to a hold as the home side protested strongly but the decision of the officials held on.

Minutes later, after the resumption of the game, a terrible collision between BYF goalie Evans Abekah and skipper Alfred Osei stopped the game ubruptly for close to ten minutes.

It did not take long after the restart of the game when a swift counterattack from BYF saw Thomas Gyawu beautifully heading home the equaliser for the home side in additional time.

The equaliser threw the game into penalties which Asante Kotoko converted 3 as against BYF's 1.