The result meant the Sky Blues leapfrogged Muktijoddha and Farashganj to third spot with 14 points from seven matches, three adrift of leaders Mohammedan Sporting Club. Defending champions Brothers Union are in second position with 16 points.

It was a must-win situation for the popular Dhanmondi-based club who also went to the game without three key players -- custodian Nizam, tireless midfielder Joy and striker Ibrahim.

However Shahajuddin Tipu celebrated his place in the starting eleven to give Abahani a 1-0 first half lead before his bald headed partner Ariful Kabir Farhad added the other after the breather.

But scoreline did not reflect Abahani's struggle not only against last year's runners-up but also a muddy ground. They had wait until the 32nd minute before finding the target when national striker Tipu capitalized against the run of play.

Receiving the ball from Lajuk, Tipu raced into the box and dribbled past Aminul before unleashing a trademark angular left-footer which romped home kissing the far post.

Before that Russel, who enjoyed 70 per cent possession, wasted two good chances that fell to Tanveer, who failed to connect on Rachid and Majid crosses with only goalkeeper Anwarul in front of him.

The story was the same in the second period with Russel dominating but their strikers lacking ideas combined with resolute defending by Abahani centre-back Prodip.

Farhad then wrapped up the points in the 77th minute when he cleverly sprang the offside trap from a Parvez chip and then dodged past the advancing Biplob to finish the job with a left-footed placing shot.

Russel, already out of contention have eight points from seven matches.

Yellow cards: Endem and Parvez (Abahani), Deen Mohammad and Rachid (Russel).

TEAMS
ABAHANI: Anwarul, Prodip, Shipon, Shawkat, Lajuk, Wali, Ujjal, Endem, Parvez, Farhad (Zahed) and Tipu.

SHEIKH RUSSEL: Biplob, Deen Mohammad, Zahirul, Aminul (Mishu), Yousuf, Tanveer (Yousuf), Mohammad, Sharif, Maruf (Hanif), Rachid and Majid.

Referee: Mansoor Azad.