Heartland FC have earned a win over Abia Warriors to end a 9-match winless streak in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Wednesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Goals by Onyekachi Okafor and Suleman Sani was enough for the Naze Millionaires to taste what victory looked like after a while.
After the Warriors could not capitalise in the early momentum gained, the hosts opened score on 20 minutes through Okafor.
Heartland doubled the lead 5 minutes later through Sani from a resulting corner.
Ojonugwa Adejoh and Aliyu Muhammed on 30 and 40 minutes shot at goal, but Heartland FC's goalkeeper, Darlintin Ovunda answered twice he was called to action.
A feisty second half saw the two teams reduced to 10 men each after Antoine Ijoma (Warriors) was sent off on 63 minutes followed by Heartland's Andrew Abalogu a minute later.
Abia Warriors' Omaka Fabian's effort was saved by the goalkeeper on 79 minutes in what could have given hope for a comeback.
The hosts held on to the lead to win the South East derby at the Awka City Stadium, Anambra to keep the fight for relegation alive.
By Uche Dozie