Fidelis Ilechukwu returned to his old stomping ground in Lagos and just like old times, masterminded a victory but this time it was against former side MFM FC as his Heartland FC ran out 2-1 winners on matchday 9 of the 2020-21 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

Fresh from dropping two points at home to FC Ifeanyiubah, relegation-threatened Heartland began in enterprising fashion and were ahead inside 8 minutes after Emmanuel Adachi fired home a penalty.

MFM responded just after the break with Muyiwa Lawal levelling matters in the 48th minute but parity lasted all of five minutes as Jimoh Gbadamosi fired home what proved to be the winner in the 53rd minute.

It was yet another home game MFM have failed to win this season and they look in great danger of being sucked into a relegation dog fight and despite sitting in 14th place, are just a point off the drop.

Tony Bolus’ side have now failed to win in six games and have lost their last two. Their home form is dire with no wins in three after winning their opening two home games.

Victory for Heartland takes them up to 15th, level on 10 points with MFM.

Elsewhere, Steven Jude scored a late winner as Kwara United came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Sunshine Stars.

Jude’s 86th minute came after teammate Issa Gats had cancelled out Sadeeq Yusuf’s opener for the hosts.

The win extends Kwara United’s unbeaten run to seven matches and the Ilorin side have lost just one game all season at Rivers United on matchday 2.

Kwara Unit move up to second in the table on 18 points, three off leaders Enyimba while Sunshine Stars who were pasted 4-1 at Abia Warriors last time out, have now lost two on the bounce after a four-game unbeaten run and are now 10th with 13 points.

Ndifreke Effiong took his season’s tally to six goals with a brace as Akwa United thumped Katsina United 3-0 in Uyo.

Effiong opened scoring in the 29th minute and completed his brace from the spot 19 minutes after Charles Atshimene had extended the home side’s lead in the 60th minute.

The win move Akwa United up to fifth with 15 points, while Katsina United drop to 16th on 10 points, one point off the relegation places.

Christian Nnaji’s 17th minute winner was enough to help Rangers see off 17th-placed Warri Wolves in Enugu to move up to 3rd in the table with 17 points while in the early kickoff, Aniekan Ekpe and Kokoette Udoh grabbed the goals as Dakkada moved up to 3rd with victory over 19th placed Abia Warriors for whom Fatai Abdullahi grabbed a late consolation.

10th-placed Jigawa Golden Stars bounced back from defeat to Kano Pillars last time out with a narrow 1-0 win over basement side Adamawa United with Abdullahi Musa grabbing the winner in the 51st minute and it ended goalless between 9th-placed Lobi Stars and Wikki Tourists in 12th.