Dubai: Al Shabab surrendered their lead at the top of the table after being held to a goalless draw at home by defending champions Al Ahli in fifth round action of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), late on Friday.

The drawn match opened up the fight for the top spot with Al Jazira maintaining their place at the summit following Thursday’s 5-0 thrashing of cellar-placed Bani Yas. Al Shabab slipped into second – although also with 13 points – but on an inferior goal difference from the Abu Dhabi club.

Al Wasl nestled well into third place with 12 points following their 2-0 win against Sharjah late on Thursday, while three teams - Al Ahli, Al Ain and Hatta – occupied the next three positions with ten points apiece.

Earlier in the evening, ten-man Al Ain had squandered a 2-0 lead to be held to a 2-2 draw by Dibba, while new entrants Hatta secured full points following their gutsy 2-1 win against visiting Emirates Club of Ras Al Khaimah.

With both teams choosing a guarded approach much of the proceedings were concentrated in the midfield and a goal, if likely, would only be possible off a quick counter-attack.

Al Ahli held a slight edge during early moments of the match, but the home team slowly started getting their rhythm as the match progressed. The home team’s Henrique Luvannor and Mohammad Ali Ayed clashed in the tenth minute while going for a header and the naturalised Moldovan from Brazil was a subdued soul after that injury that had his head bandaged.

Al Shabab then enjoyed long periods of possession with Al Ahli allowing the home side to keep the ball. Azizbek Hydarov’s free kick in the 37th minute whizzed past the upright, much to the relief of the visiting fans. And then Gyan’s shot in the 42nd minute went straight into the waiting arms of Salem Abdullah on the home goal.

During the injury period of first half, Esmail Al Hammadi nearly surprised all including the home goalkeeper when he blasted in a free kick, but Salem Abdullah was alert enough to avoid any damage.

In the second half, the game opened up a bit and there was a goal in the 66th minute after Lima connected with a diving header from a pin-point cross from Asamoah Gyan on the right flank. However, the effort was ruled off-side and the home side heaved a collective sigh of relief.

With neither side giving anything away, the visitors moved into an extra gear in the final 15 minutes, and Al Hammadi nearly gave the Red Knights full points when his toed effort hit the upright and bounced back into play.

In the second late match, Hatta had continued their fine showing so far this season to enter double figures and occupy sixth position with a hard-fought 2-1 home win against visiting Emirates Club from Ras Al Khaimah.

Maher Al Baloushi was the hero for the home team with a brace. The striker curled in a shot in the very first minute and then volleyed home a second off a back pass in the 13th minute to help the home team to a comfortable cushion. But the visitors dug in deep and pulled one back in the 25th minute when Khalid Khamis fired from inside the box.