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Yobe Desert Stars ended Kano Pillars' eight-game unbeaten run and Enyimba saw an impressive seven-game sequence put to a halt in the Oriental Derby in the NPFL on Sunday, as two of the league's more eye-catching streaks of dominance were ended. Bright Silas's fifth-minute strike was all Enugu Rangers required to earn a narrow 1-0 victory over Enyimba, a first in 10 attempts for the Flying Antelopes. Despite bossing possession after falling behind, the visitors failed to get back into the contest and they drop out of the top four and down to sixth. They could slip further if Akwa United win on Monday. Yobe Desert Stars' remarkable season got even better as they stunned erstwhile leaders Kano Pillars 2-0 in Damaturu to move up to third. Joel Djondang's 24th-minute own goal and Abdulmalik Mohammed's 71st-minute strike won the game for the newly promoted team. The result further extended Yobe Stars' perfect home record, while defeat for Pillars, only a second of the season, drops them to second-place, three points off the leaders. David Tyavkase turned on the style for Lobi Stars, who emerged 1-0 winners against Katsina United and established a three-point lead at the top of the table. The veteran attacking midfielder's thunderous 69th-minute effort was the winner on the day, condemning Katsina United, with 14 points on the log, to the brink of the dropzone. Elsewhere, MFM FC roared to their biggest win of the season with a 3-0 home win against Heartland. Goals from Stanley Okorom, Chuka Uwaga and Giscard Tchato ensured MFM, with a game in hand, move into the top half of the table and three points from a continental berth. Reigning champions Plateau United suffered a fourth league loss of the season as they fell 1-0 away at Niger Tornadoes in Minna as Elisha Golbe gave away a penalty and the spotkick was expertly tucked home by Isah Hussain. Despite the loss and two outstanding games, the champions only just manage to hang onto fourth. For a sixth successive league game, the Oriental Derby between FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Abia Warriors failed to produce a winner. Goals Patrick Ikeokwu and Samson Obi ensured the game ended 1-1. Nafiu Kabuga's second-half hat-trick propelled Wikki Tourists to a 3-0 home win against Rivers United. The loss was the biggest suffered of the season for the latter, while 11th-place Wikki earned only a second win in five matches. In other results, the relegation battle in Ilorin between Kwara United and El-Kanemi Warriors ended in an all square 1-1 draw. Antonio Dasouza handed El-Kanemi the lead, before Anayor Ogbonna drew Kwara level. The result did nothing in aiding either side's struggles, with Kwara remaining bottom and El-Kanemi two spots ahead. Sunshine Stars suffered a fourth league loss of the season away at Go Round FC, dropping into the relegation zone. Okon Otop scored the winner in the 34th minute, although they remain just a spot above the bottom.
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