But that did not change the fortune for the popular Dhanmondi outfit against a stubborn Farashganj at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The old town boys snatched a point from their more colourful rivals in a goalless drawn encounter in what was a perfect rematch of the first leg.

The disappointing draw left Abahani to clung on to a distant fourth place in the table with 20 points -- ten points behind leaders Mohammedan after 12 matches. It was the fifth draw for Abahani that diminishes their chance of salvaging some pride after an unforgettable Federation Cup and the Indepen-dence Cup campaign earlier this season.

Farashganj, on the other hand, stayed sixth in the table with 18 points at the end of the 12th round.

Earlier on the day, Dhaka Wanderers tasted their first victory in their Premiership return after a long time with a 3-1 defeat over Dipali Juba Sangha in a battle of two bottom-table sides.

Nigerian forward Henry struck twice and substitute Shakil added the other for Wanderers after Ugandan striker put Dipali ahead early. Dipali could have collected one point but Ujjal headed the ball over an open net before their top scorer Rubel shot an 88th minute penalty over the bar.

In the day's second match, Abahani began to win the ball in the midfield after the first quarter. But Ujjal, returning to his original position as striking partner of Tipu, saw rival goalkeeper Zia snatched the ball from his possession after Cameroonian Ndem had split the Farashganj defence in the 23rd minute.

Farashganj captain Walid came close to shooting his side ahead six minutes before the break but the forward put a superb cross from overlapping fullback Arup just wide.

Pradeep rescued Abahani 17 minutes after the break when the in-form centre-back cleared Walid's header from the goalline, giving his teammates a wake up call. The Sky Blues stormed the rival fort with two dangerous moves in the next two minutes but Ujjal could not utilise either of the chances. His placing shot on a through by Ghanaian Ibrahim was thwarted by an onrushing Zia from point blank range while inspired defending by Arup denied Ujjal from a shot at goal.

A desperate Abahani made three changes to strengthen their attack after the break but Farashganj's Guinean stopper Scylla kept them at bay.

Ujjal once again got the chance to make the thousands of grim Abahani faithful happy at the stands but the national striker's left-footer after a deflected free-kick found the side netting only.

Farashganj, on the other hand, came close to stun their mighty rivals in the injury time but Nigerian striker Felix's lone run was stopped by Ghanaian defender Marshall's superb tackle.

Yellow cards: Parvez, Ujjal (Abahani) and Adafa, Amirul (Farashganj).

TEAMS
Abahani: Nizam, Obaidur, Pradeep, Marshall, Wali, Ibrahim (Tushar), Joy, Ndem, Parvez (Zahid and Anwar), Tipu and Ujjal.

Farashganj: Zia, Liton, Faisal, Scylla, Khaled, Arup, Amirul, Adafa, Kabir (Rony), Walid (Ripon) and Felix.
Referee: Ramkrishna Ghosh.