Accra Hearts of Oak gave their season a major lift with a 1-0 win over Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium to end their three-game Ghana Premier League winless run and move level on points with their arch-rivals.
Star man Patrick Razak scored his fourth goal of the season with a fine effort on 64 minutes to earn the Phobians all three points against a Kotoko side who huffed and puffed without managing to find the end product.
His finish was also the highlight of a game that drew a huge crowd at the Baba Yara Stadium and was littered with faulty passes in the opening half before coming alive after the break.
Much of Hearts of Oak's second-half revival was down to the pace and runs of Patrick Razak.
The forward's deal with Hearts expires in November, and in Kumasi, he made the most compelling case for the Hearts management to do all they can and retain his services. Every time he touched the ball, the Kotoko backline seemed to panic.
On 64 minutes, when he received a short pass from Winfred Cobbinah, he dummied Tuffour Frimpong, stepped inside the Kotoko six-yard box and smashed a right-footed shot past Felix Annan that left the Kotoko goalkeeper with no chance.
Kotoko could have been behind before then when Razak flicked a ball in the box and attempted a spectacular overhead kick that Annan saved.
It was the clearest indication that Hearts' influence was growing after having been on the back foot up to that point.
Burkina Faso international Sonnie Yacouba was Kotoko's main threat, running Hearts all over and causing them all sorts of problems, especially from set pieces.
Hearts goalkeeper Ben Mensah pushed his free kick against the goalpost early in the second half before the Burkinabe stopper headed over the bar from four yards out. In the end it proved costly for the Phobians whose inconsistent season continues.
Hearts have now not lost in five league games at the Baba Yara Stadium, and will now hope to build on another fine afternoon. "We didn't like our place on the league table and wanted to start changing that," Razak told Star Times' pitch-side reporter after the match.
Hearts are now up to 8th in the league, ahead of Kotoko on goal difference, and three points behind league leaders Ashanti Gold.
Saturday's seven games produced five home wins and two draws, with WAFA the outstanding performers at their Sogakope base.
Charles Boateng scored a brace as the home side ended Dreams FC's recent impressive run of three straight wins. Dreams remain second in the league, but are now just three points above WAFA, who are 8th.
Ashanti Gold suffered their second loss of the season when an injury-time penalty earned SC Medeama a 2-1 home win against C.K. Akunnor's side.
The former Black Stars captain confronted referee Charles Budu on the pitch after the award of the penalty, which was buried by Kwesi Donsu.
AshGold stay top of the standings, but they are now level on points with Dreams FC in second.
Inter Allies are two points behind the pair off the back of their strong home form which was evident again against Ebusua Dwarfs.
Goals late in each half from Victorien Adebayor and George Amonoo gave Allies their fifth win in five games as they extend a fine run in which they're yet to concede.
Bechem United are level on points with Inter Allies after Daniel Egyin's goal earned them a 1-0 win over Karela FC.
Wa All Stars remain bottom of the standings after picking up one point at Liberty Professionals in Dansoman in a 1-1 draw.