Shooting Stars delivered a dramatic performance on Friday night, scoring two late goals to defeat Bendel Insurance 2-1 in an exciting Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter.
The Matchday 13 fixture, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, appeared destined for a goalless draw before the home side produced a stunning late comeback.
Both teams approached the contest with determination, but clear-cut opportunities were difficult to come by during the opening exchanges.
Bendel Insurance, who started the match among the leading teams on the league table, looked organised defensively and frustrated their hosts for much of the encounter.
However, Shooting Stars refused to give up.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 84th minute when Olakunle Akala found the back of the net to send the home supporters into celebration.
The goal changed the atmosphere inside the stadium, and the Oluyole Warriors continued pushing forward.
Their persistence paid off again in the second minute of stoppage time when substitute Qamar Adegoke doubled the advantage.
Bendel Insurance managed to pull one back through Alex Oweilayefa with virtually the final kick of the match, but it was too late to rescue a point.
The 2-1 victory moved Shooting Stars to seventh position with 18 points from 13 matches.
Bendel Insurance remain second with 21 points, three behind league leaders Enugu Rangers, who still have two games in hand.
The result represents an important boost for Shooting Stars as they look to climb further up the NPFL standings.
For Bendel Insurance, however, the late collapse will be a painful one, especially after holding their opponents at bay for almost the entire match.
