Balestier Khalsa inflicted a shock defeat on Brunei DPMM on Friday night prevailing 2-1 in Brunei in the Great Eastern Yeo's S.League.
It was the home side's first defeat this season, having dropped points only once in their opening six games. The result also meant that DPMM blew the chance to go level with leaders Albirex Niigata (S) on points, though they have two games in hand.
Steve Kean's side are placed third on the table with 16 points from seven matches. Second placed Warriors are a point ahead but have played an extra game. Top of the table Albirex are three points ahead.
The loss was all the more surprising as Balestier had to do deal with their AFC Cup exertions from three days earlier, although the absence of key imports Joseph Gamble (suspension) and Boris Raspudic (injury) did not help DPMM's cause.
The Tigers stunned the crowd at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium when they took the lead after just eight minutes.
Miroslav Kristic made no mistake from the spot to net his third goal in as many games, bringing his league tally to six in eight.
The Wasps were then awarded their own spot kick five minutes later, but league top scorer Rafael Ramazotti fluffed his lines and the score remained 1-0.
Things got even better when Marko Kraljevic's charges doubled their lead just two minutes into the second half.
Robert Pericic got his third goal of the campaign, putting Balestier firmly in the driving seat for an upset victory.
That led to Steve Kean throwing on an additional pair of strikers in Shahrazen Said and his brother Adi, as they chased the game.
The attacking initiative paid off when Ramazotti reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute with his ninth goal of the season, but it was too little too late.
Despite the dismissal of left-back Ho Wai Loon for a second yellow card in the final minutes, Balestier held on to notch their fourth win of the season.
The win also extended Balestier's unbeaten streak to three games -- they are fourth in the table trailing DPMM by three points.
Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof, Aminuddin Zakwan, Brian McLean, Rosmin Kamis (C), Sairol Sahari, Najib Tarif (Adi Said 70'), Yura Indera Putra (Awangku Fakharazzi 46'), Hendra Azam (Shahrazen Said 69'), Azwan Ali, Paulo Sergio, Rafael Ramazotti
Balestier Khalsa: Zaiful Nizam (C), Ahmad Syahir, Igor Cerina, Nurullah Hussein, Ho Wai Loon, Zulkiffli Hassim (Ignatius Ang 67'), Poh Yifeng, Emir Lotinac, Tarik Cmajcanin (Hazzuwan Halim 78'), Robert Pericic, Miroslav Kristic (Ridwan Jamil 86')