Diego Cruciani's side looked set to take full three points and stand atop the table after Argentine midfielder Mariano Sanchez's sublime strike in the first half at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

But Rezaul Hakim's Pikul's equaliser after a defensive error left the sky-blues heartbroken before GM Mamun rubbed salt into their wounds with a late strike after a gaffe by goalkeeper Biplab.

The come-back-from-behind win, Khulna Abahani's second upset in the capital after a 4-2 defeat of Brothers Union, gave the less illustrious Abahani from the south their overall third victory in eight games and pushed their collection to 10 points.

The Dhanmondi outfit on the other hand, dented their title chase after a seven match unbeaten run, remaining third with 15 points.

The sky-blues' habit of dominating teams without killing them off has been a recurring problem this season and, once again, they showed they are yet to find a killer instinct.

With Ghanaian forward Ibrahim showing great deftness in an inspirational first half, a blue tide swelled near the Khulna Abahani goal but the top-budgeted team of the year fluffed a half-dozen sitters in the first 25 minutes.

Ibrahim, who found the sidenetting after seven minutes, sped down the right four minutes later to pick Hector Parodi unmarked at the far post with a pinpoint chip. The Argentine, however, headed the ball straight to visiting goalkeeper Foyaz.

Ibrahim blazed a shot wide from the edge of the area minutes later and Sanchez saw his spectacular volley from 25 yards rattle the rival crossbar as Abahani piled on the pressure. Parodi should have scored a minute later but the striker hopelessly failed to tap in a rebound after Foyaz managed to palm out a scorching drive by Ibrahim.

It was then Ibrahim's turn to frustrate the small number of fans when he wasted a flowing move between Sanchez and Parodi.

Abahani slowed down for a while and the calmness paid off two minutes before the short whistle as Sanchez struck a dipping left-footed volley from 25 yards into the top left corner of Foyaz. The Argentine's first league goal came after he chested down the ball and twice played it in the air to make room after a Khulna defender headed Siraji's freekick out of the area.

Parodi, supposed to be the main striker, has only scored one league goal for Abahani so far and it was easy to see why. If the Argentine's shooting had been more accurate he could have had a hattrick as he squandered another chance created by Ibrahim two minutes after resumption.

The visitors were completely overwhelmed, but Abahani were unable to find a way to beat goalkeeper Foyaz for a second time as Emily headed over an Ibrahim cross.

Abahani were caught on the break as touring midfielder Ashiqul's diagonal pass from right flank found striker Pikul who raced past rival rightback Siraji and sidefooted the ball into the far corner past an advancing Biplab for the equaliser in the 63rd minute.

Foyaz then denied Abahani the lead when the goalkeeper made a fine save at his near post after Emily hammered the ball on the turn.

Ali Asghar Nasir's boys, who had materialised counter attacks against Brothers successfully, did it again to steal the match winner ten minutes from time. Prashanta's centre from the right looked harmless but Biplab, under pressure from a lurking striker, juggled the ball twice and finally lost it near his goalmouth only to see Mamun stab home.

The few fans began throwing missiles in disgust but the rage was not enough to encourage Tipu, who came in for Ibrahim immediately after conceding the equaliser, to give the side a vital point. The veteran striker was completely unmarked seven yards out of goal when Emily's glancing header found him but Tipu haplessly kicked the ball wide. It was all over for the home side when Emily's effort curled out in injury time.

Abahani's Argentine coach Cruciani summed up the match report by saying: "We were incredibly bad."

Yellow cards: Moshiul, Tariqul and Ibrahim (Abahani)

TEAMS
KHULNA ABAHANI: Foyaz, Imrose, Awlad (Hadi), Shahin, Ashraf, Moshiul, Khalid (Ashiqul), Tajul, Prashanta (Tariqul), Pikul and Mamun.

ABAHANI: Biplab, Siraji (Zahed), Nazrul, Caporale, Wali, Ujjal, Joy, Sanchez (Parvez), Ibrahim (Tipu), Emily and Parodi.

Referee: Ramkrishna Ghosh.

TOP SCORERS
9 goals: Paul (Mohammedan)
5 goals: Nicodemus (Arambagh), Robin (Farashganj)
4 goals: Junior (Brothers), Moni, Alfaz (Muktijoddha)
3 goals: Younes (Russel), Prashanta, Mamun (Khulna Abahani)
2 goals: Yusuf (Ctg MSC), Enock (Brothers), Emily, Ibrahim (Abahani), Ighir (Russel), Brahim (Muktijoddha), Ali Hossain (Farashganj), Khokon (Chittagong Abahani)