Struggling Kwara United recorded an impressive scoreless draw away at Enugu Rangers, extending their fine unbeaten streak to five-games to move off the foot of the table.
Against all odds, United gained a vital away point at Rangers to secure a result which aided their relegation cause as they moved up to 19th with a game in hand.
Ibrahim Ajani carried the biggest threat early on for Rangers, but twice, a combination of a blocked attempt and brilliant goalkeeping by Jonah Usman denied the veteran forward a goal.
The visitors could have stolen maximum points late on, but Sunday Odudu's shot was charged down by a combined defensive effort from Okey Odita and Chiamaka Madu.
The result extends coach Abubakar Bala's unbeaten start to life in charge of Kwara, while Rangers missed a massive chance to move into the top four as they end matchday 17 seventh on the log.
Sochima Eluma scored a brilliant goal after 57 seconds to hand Rivers United a 1-0 home win against Nasarawa United, a victory which moves them into second.
Rivers were dominant, and should have extended their advantage, but somehow Osita Chikere missed an open goal with goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso beaten.
Defeat, a 10th of the season and ninth suffered on the road, leaves Nasarawa United battling relegation and level on points with 17th-place El-Kanemi Warriors.
Warriors themselves showed class and superiority against Heartland, comfortably winning the relegation battle 3-0 in Maiduguri.
Bello Musa Kofarmata put the hosts ahead from the spot in the 35th minute after Alexandre Kouakou was adjudged to have handled in the box.
The result was put beyond doubt in the second half thanks to Anthony Yeful's brace, which secured only the Warriors' fifth win of the season, and condemned Heartland to bottom spot.
Wikki Tourists suffered an eighth-straight away defeat, losing 2-1 at Sunshine Stars as they remain 14th on the log and level on points with their latest conquerors.
Despite having the upper hand early on, when Abubakar Umar gave Wikki a third-minute leave, they suffered a meltdown to extend their struggles away from home.
Sikiru Alimi levelled for Sunshine in the 12th minute, before Frank Sasere headed in Seun Olulayo's cross for the match-winner late on.
Niger Tornadoes' fine form survived its latest test with a 1-1 away draw at Go Round FC on Omoku on Sunday.
Nelson Etor put the hosts in the driving seat after 18 minutes, only for Segun Alebiosu to draw Tornadoes level before the break.
Go Round were handed a lifeline from the spot after Etor was fouled, but Chile Azu failed to make it count as he blazed his effort against the crossbar.
The result extended Tornadoes' unbeaten run to seven games as they remain fifth, while a third home draw of the campaign leaves Go Round two spots from the bottom.
Abia Warriors earned a fourth successive draw of the season after playing out a 1-1 home draw against Katsina United.
Samson Obi put the hosts in the lead, but the visitors were undeterred as they drew level through Joshua Agboola's 39th-minute spot kick.
It was a brilliant return to Umuahia for erstwhile Abia Warriors coach Abdullahi Biffo, as Katsina drop a spot to fourth.