The Dhaka derby between two top teams at the Bangabandhu National Stadium was anything but flashy and Brothers dominated the better part of the proceedings.

However, substitute Biddyut separated the two sides ten minutes from time with his first touch of the game as the Reds returned to the top of the table with 30 points from 16 games.

Still, Abu Yusuf's side are not prepared to celebrate knowing their position is not consolidated with Abahani and Mohammedan chasing just one point adrift, having two and one matches in hand respectively.

Brothers meanwhile, all but gave up hopes of staying in contention following their second defeat to Muktijoddha in the season. The Oranges, who suffered their fourth defeat and have yet to win a big match, stuck to 23 points after 15 outings.

Muktijoddha once again left veterans Arman Mia and Alfaz Ahmed out of the squad and Kanchan, who got his second consecutive start, set up his striking partner Moni with a perfect cross after 14 minutes. But the Muktijoddha skipper's effort from the edge of the area was spectacularly punched out by Nizam at the Brothers goal.

Syed Nayeemuddin's boys picked up the game afterwards with Elijah Junior, top scorer of the competition with 14 goals, being inspirational. But the Nigerian striker's hard work went in vain as his teammates wasted a series of chances.

Monwar had the entire far post to send his shot after meeting a header by Junior on the half hour but the midfielder blasted his shot over the lone keeper from a tight angle. Two minutes later Junior's freekick from the left side of the box was dangerously curling when Titumir made a diving save to keep it at bay.

Junior then saw his partner Manju fluff two chances inside the first five minutes of the second half. Both the times, the striker failed to keep his shot on target and was immediately substituted by Tapu, whose first touch on the ball from seven yards went straight to goalkeeper Titumir after Shakil had done the spadework.

Muktijoddha got the match winner against run of play in the 80th minute when Maruf initiated a move down the middle. The midfielder picked Moni at the right flank where the Reds captain evaded Masud Rana's final charge and chipped the ball for Biddyut to nod home seconds after replacing Moroccan recruit Brahim.

Brothers almost got the equaliser a couple of minutes later but Tapu's header on a centre by Liton was palmed out by Titumir. The ball went on to hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped on the line before fullback Titu made the final clearance and ensure three points for Muktijoddha.