Kumasi, March 14, GNA - Defending League champions, Accra Hearts of Oak inflicted 1-0 defeat on their rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko in their 22nd Gl= o Premier League match played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.

The lone goal was scored by Samuel Affum through a spot kick in the 43rd minute after Isaac Owusu had brought down Hearts enterprising Eric Gawu in the penalty box.

It would be recalled that Hearts beat Kotoko with the same score line at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra in their first leg encounter. At the close of proceedings referee S. B. Bortey who nearly marred the beauty of the game was fortunate to be whisked away from the pitch by the security personnel who were deployed to maintain law and order at the stadium.

The angry Kotoko supporters from the VIP stand threw sachet water and plastic bottles at the officials to express their disgust about the way the referee handled the match.

The game was started with displeasure by the Kotoko fans after referee Bortey had booked Stephen Manu for entering the goal post of Hearts and touching the net.

Just when the match had travelled for only 20th minutes, Kotoko's stalwart defender, Gideon Baah's right leg was broken when he clashed wit= h hearts Samuel Affum and had to be stretched off the field and he was replaced by Micheal Ofosu Appiah.

Both teams who were determined to carry the day played it hard but it was Kotoko who had the greater parts of the exchanges but failed to translate their chances into goals.

The Phobians made a counter attack in the 43rd minute and while Kotoko's strong defender, Ofosu Appiah was on the torch line, Gawu made a move for the defender to desperately trip him down in the box for referee Bortey who was on the right on the spot to whistle for a penalty which Affu= m neatly converted. Kotoko continued the second session with vigour as they pinning Hearts to their half for the greater part of the half but the defence of Hearts stood gallantly with Frank Boateng, Samad Oppong and Edward Affum missing much of the opportunities that came their way. Hearts desirous to maintain their lead brought on mid-field kid Towric= k Djibril for Douglas Nkrumah in the 58th minute but this did not change the trend of the game as Kotoko continued to probe for the equalizer. Kotoko also brought on Kabiru Imoro for Kwadwo Poku in the 73rd minute and his presence was immediately felt when he made an attempt at goal but the chance was blocked by goalkeeper Philemon MacCarthy in the 74th minute. Hearts nearly got a second goal in the 79th minute but they missed the opportunity created in a goal mouth melee.

The Fabulous lads made last minutes attempt at levelling up the scores in the 82nd minute but a shot that hit Samuel Nzemaba in the box was ignore= d for a hand ball referee Bortey as he allowed play to continue. A last minute opportunity fell the way of Stephen Manu to claim the equaliser for Kotoko but the striker shot wide the golden opportunity to en= d the match to the annoyance of the teeming fans.