Akwa United missed the chance to regain top spot in the Nigeria Professional Football League after they were held at Abia Warriors on matchday 23 on Thursday.

The largely tepid affair was devoid of any real quality with the major talking point being the straight red for the visitors’ Charles Atshimene in the 62nd minute.

Despite playing with a man advantage for over thirty minutes, the home side failed to find a breakthrough with both sides settling for a goalless draw at the Okigwe Stadium.

The draw kept Kennedy Boboye’s side without defeat in 13 games but they fall two points behind Kano Pillars who lead the standings with 44 points. Imama Amapakabo’s Warriors stay in 13th-place on 29 points.

The concluding fixture of matchday 23 saw Christian Nnaji, Godspower Aniefok and Ibrahim Olawoyin find the target as Enugu Rangers thrashed visiting Jigawa Golden Stars 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Nnaji put the Flying Antelopes ahead in the 27th-minute before Aniefok doubled their lead two minutes after the break and Olawoyin completed scoring ten minutes later.

Rangers stay 7th despite the win with Jigawa Golden Stars also unmoved in 14th-place.