Title contenders, Plateau United were denied the opportunity to climb to the top of the table, at least momentarily, by Kwara United who held them to a 1-1 draw in the MatchDay 22 fixture played yesterday at the Ilorin Township stadium.

Before the match in Ilorin, Plateau United were on 44 points, two points behind table-toppers Rivers United so a victory over Kwara United would have lifted them to the top of the table with 47 pending the outcome of today's match in Katsina.

In yesterday's keenly contested match, former Lobi Stars man, Samad Kadiri put Kwara United in front in the 14th minute but two minutes later, Wasiu Jimoh drew Plateau United level.

On resumption of the second half, both sides did everything to take the maximum but ended up sharing the spoils in the pulsating encounter.

However, reigning champions Akwa United overpowered 3SC 2-1 to move into the top 10 on the table.

Babatunde Bello's 35-yard strike in the 14th minute was the opener for the 'Promise keepers', Naibe Akpesiri doubled the lead in the 69th minute before Chidera Eze pulled one back for his side in the 81st minute.

At the Pantami Stadium, Gombe United showed Nasarawa United no mercy as they spanked the 'solid miners' 3-1.

Assisted by Aminu Mohammed, leading goal scorer Abdulazeez Yusuf opened the scoring for Gombe United in the 33rd minute, Ahmed Jimoh made it two for the 'Savannah scorpions' in the 40th minute before lively Nasarawa United winger Aliyu Abdullahi reduced the deficit six minutes into the second half.

However, in the 74th minute, substitute Sanni Abanni restored Gombe United's two-goal lead when he tapped home into an unguarded net to seal victory for the home team.

Unfortunately, things got from bad to worse for Nasarawa United who was reduced to 10 men six minutes from time after Manga Mohammed was sent off for a foul on goal-bound Samaila Bello.

The remaining week 23 matches will be played today as strugglers Heartland host fourth-placed Remo Stars in Owerri while leaders Rivers United visit Katsina United.