Brunei DPMM reassumed pole position in the Great Eastern Yeo's S.League on Sunday night after beating the Courts Young Lions 2-0 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
Paulo Sergio enjoyed an inspired return to the side, as Steve Kean's men largely dominated the encounter to leapfrog Albirex Niigata (S) at the top of the standings by two points.
It took just seven minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock and it was their star Portuguese attacker who opened the scoring.
Having missed the last four games through injury, Sergio won a free kick 25 yards out, and dusted himself off to smack the set-piece past Syazwan Buhari for his sixth league goal of the season.
Barely 60 seconds later, Syazwan had to be alert to keep out Azwan Ali's cheeky attempt from 18 yards. The goalkeeper then had to deny the same player on 20 minutes.
Adam Swandi responded for Juergen Raab's charges, with a low free kick that was deflected just wide, but they went further behind on 26 minutes.
Sergio was involved once again, this time forcing a save from Syazwan after being played in by Azwan.
Joseph Gamble somehow contrived to put the rebound against the post with the goal gaping, but converted at the second attempt to make it 2-0.
Syazwan continued to be busy in goal as he saved efforts from Azwan and Rafael Ramazotti, with the latter also spurning another good chance.
DPMM went a man down on the stroke of half-time when Azwan was shown a straight red card for an elbow on M. Anumanthan.
This affected their outlook after the break and resulted in them sitting back, as the Young Lions sought a way back into the game.
Fadli Kamis and Jordan Webb both wasted decent opportunities, although Sergio continued to prove a menace at the other end.
Another free kick from the former Sporting man sailed not far over, while he was then perhaps unfortunate not to win a penalty after appearing to have been tugged back in the box.
Gamble was set up by Sergio with ten minutes left in regulation time but fired wide, before the latter did the same himself from Sairol Sahari's pass just one minute later.
Sherif El-Masri's overhead kick from the edge of the box was the final opportunity for a Young Lions consolation, but the desperate attempt flew wide as the final whistle went soon after to signal DPMM's victory.
Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof, Aminuddin Zakwan, Boris Raspudic, Brian McLean, Sairol Sahari, Hendra Azam (Maududi Hilmi 86'), Joseph Gamble, Rosmin Kamis (C), Azwan Ali, Paulo Sergio, Rafael Ramazotti
Courts Young Lions: Syazwan Buhari (C), Fadli Kamis, Amirul Adli (Afiq Mat Noor 36'), Sheikh Abdul Hadi, Farhan Rahmat, M. Anumanthan, Ammirul Emmran (Danial Razali 77'), Suria Prakash (Nur Na'iim Ishak 53'), Adam Swandi, Sherif El-Masri, Jordan Webb