Aggression from Heart of Lions saw them  overtak Hearts of Oak to second-place in the Premier League  after defeating the Phobians 2-1 at Accra Sports Stadium .

Coach Yusif Abubakar's side recovered well from an early set-back to post a vital away win which puts them in the driver's seat in the seemingly impossible chase of leaders Kotoko, and boosts their chances of nailing down a CAF Champions League place ahead of Hearts with five games to go.

Right winger Prince Acquah came off the bench to make the win possible, sending the home fans into a state of mourning after an inspired start.

In the opening stages, Hearts striker Selasi Adjei had a torrid time and was the main target of abuse from the ever-demanding Hearts fans in the stands, his visible anxiety obstructing his concentration in the 18 yard box. On 13 minutes, he shot across goal, and seven minutes later, he missed a sitter after capitalizing on a defensive miscommunication between center back Benjamin Agyare and his goalie Mozart Adjetey.

Later, he found himself with only Adjetey to beat after being played through with a brilliant through ball, but he shot straight at the on-rushing keeper and clutched his head with both hands in despair. It was proving to be one of those days for the hard working marksman.

In between all that drama, Lions' physically imposing center forward Isaac Osae, arguably their brightest spot on the day, went on a determined solo run, found himself one on one against Heart goalie Tetteh Luggard and hit a sweet shot that rattled the cross bar.

Hearts would take the lead on 29 minutes when play maker Winful Cobbinah wriggled his way in the box and neatly placed one with the inside of his foot past Adjetey.

Three minutes later, Cobbinah, spotting acres of space on a break by Hearts, went on a brilliant solo run, fans roaring with every defender he left in his wake. He found himself against Adjetey and tried to beat him with a well weighted high shot, but the goalie was up to the task.

Both teams later had shots saved at both ends: Razak Mohammed for Lions and Eric Kumi for Hearts, but it was Lions that had the final say in a thrilling end to the half.

Standing behind a 25 yard free kick, midfielder Kojo Poku took a deep breath, run towards the ball and unleashed a rocket of a shot that bounced off the underside of the cross bar and went straight down. Without knowledge on whether it was a goal or not, the Lions players sought to follow up, but within seconds, the referee had blown for a goal, Poku racing towards the touchline to embrace his teammates on the bench.

Back from the break, it took 16 minutes for the first chance to arrive, and it almost resulted in a spectacular goal: 10 yards out, Cobbinah met a cross from the left with an impressive bicycle kick but the ball went just wide off Adjetey's left post.

Lions kept piling on the pressure, but kept finding a lot of Hearts bodies in the final third. The Phobians also looked for breaks too, but couldn't muster enough cutting edge.

On 78 minutes, the home crowd were silenced. Substitute Prince Acquah, who had replaced Conney Idan on the right wing, drilled in a low drive from just outside the Hearts box that beat keeper Tetteh Luggard to give Lions the lead.

The away side took control of the game from then on, bombarding Hearts with attack after attack. They weren't satisfied, looking more determined and more composed for a side in the lead. They took control and went at Hearts, sucking the fiery determination for an equalizer out of them.

Hearts had a late penalty call brushed, after substitute Edikeu Berenger's heel seemed to have been caught whilst attempting a shot which in all fairness he should have released earlier.

But in the end, Hearts coach Mohammed Polo watched on helplessly as Lions jubilated. The away team had been better and could not be denied their win. It was well deserved.

Hearts of Oak XI: Tetteh Luggard - Emmanuel Ansong (c), Nuru Sule, Robin Gnagne, Owusu Bempah - Ollenu Ashittey (63' Paul Acquah), Hamza Fusseini, Maxwell Boakye (85' Ishmael Nortey), Winful Cobbinah - Eric Kumi, Selasi Adjei (84' Edikeu Berenger)

Heart of Lions XI: Mozart Adjetey - Razak Mohammed, John Kuffour, Benjamin Agyari, Emmanuel Anaafi - Conney Idan (64' Prince Acquah), Kojo Poku, Edmund Owusu Ansah, Karim Abdallah (58' Isaac Quansah) - Samuel Yeboah (c), Isaac Osae (69' Edem Kojo)

 

Premier League: Results