A sterling performance by the Fearsome Elmina Sharks ruined Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s chances of a league title in their midweek Match Day 26 Ghana Premier League fixture at the Nduom Sports Stadium in Elmina, Central Region, yesterday.

Joseph Mensah’s second half strike was all the Fearsome Sharks needed to claim their first ever win over the Porcupines in a tensed match that saw supporters of both clubs filling the stadium to capacity.

A dominating performance by Kotoko in the first half could not translate into goals with striker Saddick Adams wasting numerous of them that came his way. Sharks goalkeeper, Joseph Essam’s, excellent display in the goalpost denied the Kotoko goal-machine a chance of causing any havoc.

With a determination to stay in the league after only a season’s appearance, Sharks defenders, Kingsley Adjei and Ishmael Hammond, remained resolute to ward off threats in their goal area by Saddick Adams and Jackson Owusu who were very inefficient to break the deadlock before recess.

A very tactful change by Sharks coach, Yaw Acheampong, to bring in Felix Addo to replace Joseph Mensah proved very vital for the home side’s resurgence in the second half. A swift counter attack by Sharks’ defender, Ibrahim Surat, was latched on by Felix Addo to beat Kotoko goalkeeper, Felix Annan, to break the jinx in the 62nd minute.

The win has all but sealed the Fearsome Sharks stay in the topflight after a complicated debut campaign and has tumble-down the Porcupines’ hopes of winning the Ghana Premier League.

In Accra, Hearts of Oak thrice came from behind to draw 3-3 against Aduana Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Ogya Boys opened the scoring when Daniel Dankwah’s 10th minute beat the hapless Ben Mensah after a slight deflection off Leonard Tawiah’s shoulder.

But the goal did not last as Hearts pulled parity seven minutes later after enterprising midfielder, Winful Cobbinah, brilliantly controlled a lofty pass from Samudeen Ibrahim to place a low shot past goalkeeper, Stephen Adams.

Aduana restored their lead in the 29th minute when striker, Derrick Sasraku, overpowered Robin Gnagne and Vincent Atinga before sleekly placing his low shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ben Mensah.

Hearts came back from recess determined as they pushed bodies forward in search of the equalizer. Their persistent pressure paid off in the 50th minute after the inspirational captain, Thomas Abbey, calmly controlled Samudeen Ibrahim’s long ball to score his 13th goal of the season as he beat burly goalkeeper, Stephen Adams, at his near post.

The Phobians continued to press for the winner but were denied one in the 63rd minute after Patrick Razak’s miscued shot was cleared off the line by Wahab Adams.

Just as Hearts were pressing for the winner, Nathaniel Asamoah silenced the stadium with a low strike in the 79th minute.

The Phobians came from behind again to pull parity after lanky striker, Kwame Kizito, robbed goalkeeper Stephen Adams in the air to head home Richard Akrofi’s high free kick in the 87th minute.

The Phobians deserved more than just a point after a particularly impressive display that saw them dominate the second half.

Hearts remain on 3rd position with 44 points while Aduana Stars move above WAFA to the summit of the standings with 48 points.

GPL scores at a glance

Accra: Hearts of Oak 3 – 3 Aduana Stars

Tamale: Bolga All Stars 0- 2 Tema Youth

Obuasi: AshGold 5-2 Berekum Chelsea

Tarkwa: Medeama 2-1 Ebusua Dwarfs 1

Dansoman: Liberty 2 -1 Bechem Utd

Tema:Inter Allies 0-0 Wa All Stars

Sogakope: WAFA 0-0 Great Olympics

Elmina: Elmina Sharks 1-0 Kotoko