MBF Cards put their title challenge back on track after a late winner helped them edge CIMB 2-1 in a Kuala Lumpur FA Premier Division match at the Hospital ground on Wednesday.
J. Thilagan's last minute strike from outside the penalty box saw MBF return to winning ways after a 1-0 defeat to RHB Bank in their last outing on Dec 7.
Nazri Ahmad had his first half goal cancelled by CIMB in the second half and MBF, despite having striker Saiful Adli Bahari struggling with an injury, persevered and were rewarded at the end by Thilagan's goal.
Although MBF were awarded a 3-0 default win when Public Service Commission (SPA) failed to turn up for their scheduled encounter on Jan 5, it had been more than a month since they tasted victory on the pitch.
Coach Jeffry Mokhtar was a relieved man as MBF moved into provisional second place on 15 points, one point ahead of Ikram Rovers ahead of their game against bottom-side Bank Rakyat.
RHB remained unbeaten after eight matches but only scored their third win after beating SPA 2-0 at the Kilat ground on Wednesday. Maybank lead the standings on 18 points from nine matches after they slumped to their second consecutive defeat, 3-2 to Plus Expressway on Thursday.
"We are still not at full-strength as Saiful Adli is playing while carrying an injury. CIMB controlled the opening minutes and we gradually got into the game and it was a fine strike by Thilagan for the winner.
"We needed this win badly as it keeps us in the hunt for the title," said Jeffry who coached Malaysian Assurance Alliance to the league title last season.
Meanwhile, Hornet lifted themselves off the bottom after picking up their first win by default on Jan 6 when Pos Malaysia did not turn up at the Universiti Pertahanan Negara Malaysia field in Sungai Besi.