Title aspirants Abahani spoiled a good opportunity to close the gap further with leaders Mohammedan SC after playing out a goalless draw against Brothers Union in their last match in the first-phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj today.

On Friday, Mohammedan SC lost 1-0 to Fakirerpool Young Men's Club, which ended their eight-match winning streak this season. It also presented Abahani a chance to reduce the gap with the league leaders from five points to two if they could beat Brothers today.

However, the Sky Blue outfits left the field relieved that they did not end up dropping all three points against Brothers, who gave them a run for their money in a neck-on-neck contest.

With their second draw of the season, Abahani, who are playing without any foreign players, are now four points shy of leaders Mohammedan SC's tally of 24.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings have benefitted from both Mohammedan and Abahani dropping points in the ninth round, as they are now trailing the league leaders by seven points at the end of the first phase. The second-phase of the league will start mid-February.

In Munshiganj, Brothers, a team packed with out of favour national team players, dominated Abahani most of the first half barring the opening 10 minutes.

Abahani, who scored only 11 goals in their previous eight matches, could have taken the lead in the eighth minute had the woodwork not denied Mohammad Ibrahim's header.

Both sides were equally matched in the second half but neither could break the deadlock. Brothers nearly snatched a victory in the stoppage time but Abahani goalkeeper Mitul Marma made a couple of crucial saves in the final few minutes to ensure the draw.

At Bashundhara Kings arena, Fortis FC handed a 1-0 defeat to Chittagong Abahani with Ghanaian Essa Jallow netting the all-important goal in the 34th minute.

This was Fortis' second win in nine matches, which helped them leapfrog to sixth position from eighth while Chittagong Abahani sat at the bottom with only one win and eight defeats in nine matches.