League leaders Hearts of Oak defeated rivals Asante Kotoko 1-0 on match day 31 of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Daniel Afriyie Barnie scored the only goal of the match in the 66th minute to give the Phobians a three-point lead on the league table with three games left to end the season.
Emmanuel Nettey gave the Hearts faithful a major concern in the early stages of the game as he hobbled off only to be replaced by Frederick Ansah Botchway
The Phobians dominated proceedings in the early stages of the game, threatening the Kotoko defence only to be denied by Abdul Ismail Ganiyu in the 15th minute.
Randy Ovuoka powered a drive from 40 yards which was saved by Kwame Baah in the 34th minute from a beautiful solo run.
Mohammed Fatau was denied by the woodwork after bursting forward from a solo run in the 36th minute as the first half ended goalless.
Back from recess, Ibrahim Salifu got a chance to put Hearts of Oak in front but the former Eleven Wonders man was denied by Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Kwame Baah.
Breaking the deadlock
Daniel Afriyie Barnie broke the deadlock for Hearts of Oak in the 66th minute with a nice finish into the roof of the net.
Augustine Okrah nearly fetched the equaliser in the 78th minute but Richard Attah was on hand to make a save.
Hearts of Oak held on to the win, picking 59 points to open a three-point gap.
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