Mohammedan and Russel shared points after a 1-1 draw in the first leg and the result of both sides' second-leg opener at the Bangabandhu National Stadium put an end to the black and whites' six-match winning streak.

Mohammedan, on 21 points, had a frustrating afternoon although conditions were soothing after last week's extremely sultry weather.

They hardly looked the dangerous team of the two and Russel, who are one point below the joint leaders, should consider them unfortunate not to return with maximum points.

While Shafiqul Islam Manik reasonably had faith on the eleven that pulled them to pole position from relegation zone, Russel gave debut to Moroccan newcomer Rida Saadane, who excelled in the holding midfielder's role. Pairing with the more attacking minded Igir, he gave Wajed Gazi's side edge in the middle but it began to materialise midway through the first half.

It was Igir who tested the nerves of Mohammedan's young goalkeeper Himel in the 25th minute with a dipping freekick from 40 yards that went out off the latter's palm and the crossbar.

The resulting corner put more pressure as Pappu's rising shot from outside the area slipped through Himel's gloves but flew over.

Mohammedan only threatened from setpieces and topscorer Paul's freekick from the right was palmed away by Shakil towards Kamal, who failed to keep his effort under the bar two minutes later.

Russel wasted a golden opportunity on the stroke of the breather when Younes, dashing down the left with a through from Pappu, cut the ball back for Yusuf whose awkward volley harmlessly skimmed the post.

Yusuf again was in the thick of the action but the diminutive striker, who dodged past Kamal after being picked up by Igir's diagonal throughball, failed to beat Himel's stretching right hand with a low drive on the hour.

An otherwise off-colour Zahid then put some power behind a freekick from 25 yards but was off target.

Manik's boys began to put everything behind the ball and Russel made two great escapes as the match got into the last 15 minutes.

Nigerian skipper Paul unsettled the rival defence with another chipped freekick and his compatriot Emeka's header was lost from Shakil's grip. But the black and whites could not make most of the melee as Saadane's sidevolley rescued Russel.

A similar chance went astray ten minutes from end and this time, Emeka was denied by a defensive wall before Zahid's final push hit the base of the post.

Zahid, however, was lucky to be on the pitch when he elbowed Igir in the face while retaliating after a foul in the 84th minute but referee Abdul Hannan ignored the acts of the Mohammedan midfielder, who had already been cautioned.