Luqman Karatu's 13th minute deflected shot was all ABS Football Club of Ilorin needed on Sunday to record a 1-0 win over visiting Julius Atete FC of Warri. The 2015/2016 Nigeria National League Match Day 5 fixture was played at the Kwara Stadium Complex in Ilorin.

Karatu had squeezed in from left flank of the field just outside the penalty area for a shot at the upright, which was eventually deflected in for the lone goal. ABS FC had struggled for most part of the game until then, always falling short against their opponents.

Ibrahim Abdullahi, the team's top scorer with three goals so far, was however always tormenting the visitors' defenceline.

Speaking after the match, the Coach of Julius Atete FC, Tajudeen Lamidi, gave credit to his opponents and described them as a good side. Lamidi said: "We lost against a good team, no doubt, but the referee didn't allow us to play our game."But I am not a referee. "So, I won't criticise them.

"However, I must confess that my players wasted too many goal scoring chances in the first half. "While I can't blame the referee, because we lost our chances, they (match officials) also did a good job.

"We are all human and we are prone to errors." Also speaking, Lamidi's ABS FC counterpart, Henry Makinwa, said Julius Atete FC were a fantastic side and that was why they were on top of the league table. Lamidi was however happy that his team kept their 100 per cent home record this season.

He said: "It was a very difficult game because most of their players are two metres tall and giant in size. "My boys are also 19 to 20 years in average age, but the most important thing is that we won."

ABS FC will now travel to Ogun State to lock horns with Gateway FC of Abeokuta for their Match Day 6 fixture.