Champions Al Ain dropped points for only the second time this season as Fawaz Awana’s second-half strike rescued a 1-1 draw for hosts Bani Yas.

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The only other time Zlatko Dalic’s side dropped points was in a 2-1 defeat to Al Wahda nearly two months ago. The result keeps the Boss top of the table but Al Ahli, in third, are just four points behind with three games in hand.

Saeed Al Kathiri volleyed a lofted Omar Abdulrahman pass past Mohamed Khalaf after 22 minutes to open the scoring.

Luis Garcia’s side are made of stern stuff this season, though, and bounced back from a disappointing first defeat of the season in their last league game against Al Dhafra through Awana, who netted the equaliser in the 63rd minute.

Elsewhere, Fujairah climbed above Al Wahda into seventh with an impressive 2-1 triumph at Al Nahyan Stadium.

Christophe Mandanne scored two penalties – one each side of half-time – his second coming after home stopper Adel Al Hosani had been sent off for bringing down the French striker.

The AGL’s leading goalscorer, Sebastian Tagliabue, pulled one back four minutes later from substitute Khalil Ibrahim’s cut-back, but the visitors, who hit the bar through Abdulla Malallah and saw Patrick Eze’s strike ruled out for a foul, held on for victory.