Dubai: Leaders Al Ain came from behind to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against mid-table Al Dhafrah in the 19th round of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Friday.

Makhete Diop came up with possibly the best goal of the season so far with a wonder strike from the half-way line in the tenth minute, before Jires Kembo Ekoko salvaged a point for Al Ain just before the hour mark.

The result kept Al Ain at the top of the standings with 43 points, though with their six-point cushion cut to four following Al Jazira’s comfortable 2-0 win at home against defending champions Al Ahli late on Thursday. Al Dhafra continued in ninth place with 22 points.

Friday’s other early match saw Sharjah held to a 1-1 draw by Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah.

Playing without captain Asamoah Gyan, Al Ain seemed to be lacking their normal punch up front. And the home team took advantage of this and dictated terms, before ultimately relying on Diop’s strike to take the lead.

Senegalese striker Diop has been a consistent scorer for Al Dhafrah since joining the western region club at the start of the 2011-12 season. He has gone on improving with each season and last year he was the club’s top scorer with 22.

Friday’s strike was a purely instinctive effort. Playing a fine one-two with his captain Abdul Salam Juma, the lanky striker unleashed a shot from the half-way line that caught Al Ain goalkeeper Khalifa Hassan completely out of position.

Al Dhafrah grew in confidence as the match progressed and Mohammad Al Khoury had a golden chance to double the lead in the 29th minute, when he weaved his way in from the right flank and saw his first-time left-footed attempt narrowly miss the goal.

Al Ain took their time to settle but should have got an equaliser in the 36th minute, when Al Dhafrah goalkeeper Abdullah Sultan had to be alert to save from point-blank range from Kembo Ekoko.

The home team suffered a setback early in the second half as their goal-scorer limped off with a knee injury.

With their main threat now out of the way, Al Ain took charge of the midfield and it was Kembo Ekoko who finally managed to pull the two teams level when he re-directed an attempt on goal by Miroslav Stoch.

Meanwhile, Emirates took the lead against Sharjah in the 72nd minute through a Mohammad Mallalah strike, but the home side earned a point when Marion Silva Fernandes levelled in the 79th.