Courts Young Lions put up a valiant showing but went down 2-0 to Home United in the Great Eastern Yeo's S.League on Thursday at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Goals from Azhar Sairudin and Ambroise Begue were enough to help Philippe Aw's team claim their fifth league win of the season.
Having gotten their first win back in April against the same team, the Young Lions came out looking determined to seal three points, with midfielder Afiq Noor piecing the puzzle down the middle.
Despite suffering an early scare in the fifth minute when Ken Ilso's free kick was deflected out for a corner kick by Farhan Rahmat, the home side came storming back with a couple of chances.
Afiq's 11th minute chip over the top of the defence put Jordan Webb through on goal, only for the Canadian forward to dice his shot wide.
Ten minutes later, another superb ball by Afiq, freed Amy Recha in the box, only to see goalkeeper Shahril Jantan bravely closing him down.
The Protectors' best chance came on 27 minutes, allowed Ilso to break free, but a last-ditch tackle from M. Anumanthan saved the day.
Ilso's off-the-ball running almost paid off when he was set up by Kamel Ramdani in the 31st minute, but Syazwan Buhari went down swiftly to deny the Dane.
There was one last opportunity with three minutes remaining in the first half. Webb's quick free kick released Recha, only for Shahril to claim his shot comfortably.
The game turned on its head on 52 minutes, when Azhar surged down half the length of the pitch, before rifling into the top corner from an acute angle.
It was two-nil to the visitors seven minutes later, when Ilso threaded a through ball to Begue, who made no mistake by slotting it under Syazwan.
Young Lions almost replied instantly in the 61st minute but substitute Shameer Aziq was denied by Shahril, before Webb put his shot against the post.
There was one last chance for Home United when Fazli Ayob's pinpoint cross in the 81st minute fell to Azhar, only for the striker to blaze over the bar.
Home United coach Aw was pleased with his team's performance, especially Prime League centre-back Shahrin Saberin who partnered A. Aaravin in defence.
"It's very good momentum for us. What's pleasing is another cleansheet." said Aw.
"We came into this game without some players, very happy for young shahrin, he was excellent tonight.
"For us, we take one game at a time. Every game we come in to take the three points. The team firmly believes we can come into any game and take the win.
Home's next game will be on Sep. 11 against Geylang International after the international break, while the Young Lions will take on Hougang United two days later.
Courts Young Lions: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Fadli Kamis, Amirul Adli, M. Anumanthan, Farhan Rahmat, Afiq Noor, Ammirul Emmran (Shahfiq Ghani 76'), Nur Na'iim Ishak (Suria Prakash 54'), Jordan Webb, Sherif El-Masri (Shameer Aziq 42'), Amy Recha
Home United: Shahril Jantan (GK) (Hyrulnizam Juma'at 71'), Juma'at Jantan (C), R. Aaravin, Shahrin Saberin (Imran Saib 85'), Ang Zhi Wei, Ambroise Begue, Kamel Ramdani, Yasir Hanapi, Stanely Ng (Fazli Ayob 65'), Azhar Sairudin, Ken Ilso