The two bitter rivals whose war of words preceding the game had only added spice to the confrontation, now meet again on Monday having completed their league campaign with 39 points from 18 matches. If needed the play-off would go into extra time and even tie-breaker to ensure a result.

Friday's outcome in front of an estimated 25,000 boisterous fans however buried Abahani's (38 points) hopes of getting a play-off against the losing side for the runners-up position. They have to remain satisfied with the third position like in the previous year.

The atmosphere at the Big Bowl was electrifying as the crowd got involved with every move. There were no shortages of excitement on and off the pitch also.

Defending champions Brothers looked more organised of the two tense teams in the initial exchanges and took a deserving lead in the 17th minute thanks to their goal-machine and league's top marksman Russian Victor Edward.

But the Gopibagh outfit lost the plot after their in-form left-back Parvez Babu received the marching orders in dramatic fashion in the 60th minute.

Babu, who was a constant threat with his quick over-lapping runs, had rather unnecessarily brought Mohammedan midfielder Ronny down in an off the ball incident which referee Mansoor Azad missed. The game continued until linesman Ramkirshna Gosh drew Azad's attention after a couple of minutes and Babu was shown the red.

As Brothers' officials vehemently protested on the sidelines against the sending off, there were scenes of pushing and shoving by booters of both sides and amidst all the excitement, Mohammedan coach Kazi Jasimuddin Joshi, a former Bangladesh international himself, suddenly forgot where he was and stepped inside the pitch to instruct his players although the match was in full swing. The referee only had a verbal warning for him.

The game eventually stopped for three minutes but when it restarted, Brothers lost their composure and with an extra man Mohammedan put relentless pressure on them.

But it was Matiur Munna who once again proved his big match charisma as he rescued his side. Fresh from his two-goal heroics in the previous fixture against Mukti-joddha, Munnan left the Brothers defenders in his wake as he breached the off-side trap on a Ronny cross and placed the ball between the legs of onrushing goalkeeper Mohammad Ali for the equaliser.

That spoiled Edward's wonder strike in the first half when he unleashed a stupendous right-footed volley from the top of the box on a Parvez Babu's cross which gave Biplob under the Mohammedan bar no chance. It was Edward's 12th goal in the league.

After hitting the equaliser, Munna almost became a cult hero for the Black and White faithful when his inch perfect cross was headed on to the side post by experienced striker Nakib.

Captain Alfaz Ahmed also rued near misses in the last half hour.

"We played brilliantly after Brothers were down to ten men but luck was not on our side. However, this draw I think gives us the edge in the play-off, " said the ace striker.

Brothers players and officials were still livid with the Parvez Babu incident and did not speak to the media after the match.

Red Card: Parvez Babu (Brothers).
Yellow cards: Masud Rana (Brothers), Arman Aziz (Mohammedan).
TEAMS
BROTHERS: Ali, Parvez, Jewel Rana, Sujan, Masud Rana, Inani, Abul (Liton), Pranotosh, Siraji, Edward (Tapu) and Emily (Monwar).
MOHAMMEDAN: Biplob, Nazrul, Hasan, Odaf, Ronny (Nakib), Arman, Asad (Khokon) (Sentu), Faisal, Munna, Alfaz and Donald.
Referee: Mansoor Azad.