The all-important goal came from substitute Donald Ague in the 24th minute of the second-half much to the relief of one of the title contenders. Ague was later adjudged man-of-the-match for his rescue act.

On the other hand, luck was playing against the Chittagonians as their strikers hit either the cross-piece or the side bar on as many as three occasions. The port city side also dropped points in the same manner against Moulvibazar Wanderers in their first match although they were playing brilliantly.

The Chittagong black and whites' prospect of progressing now depends on the outcome of the last Group A match between Abahani and Moulvibazar Wanderers which will be held on August 30 at this venue.

Abahani, who also earned another hard-fought 1-0 win against the same opponents in the Sylhet-leg, looked a better side in the second-half after the barren and boring first session. It all happened when they brought about three changes at a time. Until then they failed to take control of the mid-field as their Brazilian recruit Sandro Pedrosa looked unimpressive right from the beginning.

However, as the changes were made, Abahani started to show some purpose. And after some good attacks they were able to break the deadlock 24 minutes into the second half. Nigerian Ague pounced on a pass from substitute Maksudul Alam Bulbul, the ball finding the net after touching Mohammedan captain Shafiqul Islam.

Bulbul spoiled four more chances for the popular Dhanmondi-based outfit in the second-half as the substitute striker shot directly into the safe hands of Mohammedan custodian Atiqul Islam Tareq twice. He let the third opportunity go as he failed to connect his foot properly.

Trailing 0-1, the Chittagong Mohammedan regrouped and launched counter-attacks, but luck was not in their favour as all their efforts went in vain.

A powerful left-footer by Shahajuddin Tipu went wide hitting the bar and later the national striker's back-header went flying over cross-piece five minutes before the long whistle.

Abahani defender Jahangir Alam Mintoo also salvaged his side from disaster in the very first minute of the second half. Tipu headed a Kaiser corner from in front of the goal to be denied by Mintoo, who showed impressive performance in the match including a goalline save.

In the first half, the boys from Chittagong, led by Tipu and Mehedi Hasan Tapu, shattered the Abahani defence several times but failed to capitalise on them.

They got their easiest chance to take the lead in the 22nd minute, but a Mehedi Hasan Tapu header deflected off the cross bar.

In the 42nd minute, Tapu also wasted an easy chance. He had only Abahani custodian Titumir Chowdhury to beat, but his poor shot did not give an advancing Titumir any trouble.

TEAMSABAHANI KC: Titumir Chowdhury, Nazrul Islam, Aminul Islam (Donald Ague), Amit Khan Shuvro, Jahangir Alam Mintoo, Rezaul Karim Liton, Pranatosh, Asad (Mustafa Anwar Parvez), Sandro Pedrosa, Saiful Islam Khokon, and Arcadia Toe (Maksudul Alam Bulbul).

CHITTAGONG MOHAMMEDAN SC: Rashed Chowdhury Raju (Atiqul Islam Tareq), Shafiqul Islam (Anupom Barua), Kinsghsuk, Abu Faisal Ahmed, Ishrafil Hossain, Shawkat Khan, Abul Hossain, Shahajuddin Tipu, Abdullah Parvez, Mehedi Hasan Tapu, Masud Parvez Kaiser (Zahid Parvez).

Yellow cards: Pedrosa and Khokon (Abahani).

Referee: Ibrahim Nesar.