Russel, runners up last year, had stretched their big brothers throughout the match but were undone by two fatal moments of indiscretion from custodian Apel inside the last ten minutes.

Striker Bulbul had given Russel a deserving lead in the 20th minute but Tipu, whose wonder-strike had ousted India in the semifinal and written the script for Bangladesh's 1999 SAF Games triumph, grabbed an equaliser in the 80th minute and then struck the decider at the stroke of the final whistle.

The outcome helped Abahani keep their fleeting challenge alive. They are in fourth place with 19 points from 11 matches, eight adrift of leaders Mohammedan. Russel remained in fifth place with 15 points from the same number of outings.

Abahani were without inspirational midfielder and captain Joy who was still serving a ban. But they were boosted by the return of three key players Ndem, Abdullah Parvez and Tipu in the match.

However, Russel were making all the running and kept up the pressure on their opponents from the very beginning.

Bulbul spoiled a sure chance in the eighth minute when he found himself unmarked but headed the ball wide. But he made no mistakes 12 minutes later.

The shaky Abahani defense allowed the marksman to race into the danger area and he went past Nizam before slotting the ball home with a left-footed placing shot.

The first half could have been more rewarding for Russel but their Moroccan striker Majid spoiled two golden chances.

It was a same pattern in the second half also as Abahani were found clueless in front of the goal and also at the back. But Russel muffed chance after chance and Abahani's experience made the youthful side pay dearly.

They conceded the first goal following a misunderstanding between Apel and defenders Zahirul and Deen Mohammad. All three went for the ball after Ujjal had lobbed in the area although Apel could have avoided the confusion by staying on his line. Instead they hesitated and Tipu pounced on the loose ball and ran past the baffled trio before scoring.

The second goal was almost a replay of the first. Apel again advanced and then froze and created a dilemma in Deen Mohammad and Tipu, lurking nearby, wasn't going to show any mercy.

Yellow cards: Prodip (Abahani), Majid (Russel).

TEAMS
Abahani: Nizam, Obaidur, Prodip (Shipon), Marshal, Lajuk (Tushar), Faisal, Ndem, Parvez, Ujjal, Tipu and Ibrahim (Zahed).

Russel: Apel, Zahirul, Deen Mohammad, Sharif, Yousuf, Tanveer, Nayan (Sharif), Rachid, Hanif, Majid and Bulbul (Yousuf).

Referee: Abdul Hannan Miron.