Substitute Paul Acquah’s 73rd minute goal was all that Accra Hearts of Oak needed to seal victory over Ashgold on Saturday at the Obuasi Len Clay sports stadium.
Referee Yaw Ametepey had to rescind his decision of awarding Hearts a spot kick after recess when he consulted his assistant Bawu Haruna.
The host who drew one all in their midweek fixture against Bolga All Stars once again dropped all three points at home to deepen their woes in the ongoing Ghana Premier League.
The Miners though started the game on a brilliant mark could not find the back of the net in the first half of the crunchy fixture.
Ashgold came close to picking the lead in the early stages of the game but Hans Kwofie’s cross was magnificently saved by Samuel Akrugu who was busy throughout the game.
As if that was enough for the miners, danger man Emmanuel Osei Baffour kept tormenting Hearts defenders but Vincent Atinga and Richard Akrofi would not give him space to conjure magic despite making several attempts to find his way through their tight defense.
Coach Yakubu Mambo in search for a goal brought on striker Kofi Owusu to replace Emmanuel Osei Baffour after Hearts had made their first substitution by bringing on Paul Acquah for Winful Cobbinah in the 52nd minute.
Hearts looked the better side in in the early stages of the second half and their efforts finally paid off when substitute Paul Acquah put the Phobians in front on the 73d minute.
The goal forced the miners to make a second quick substitution after forward Hans Kwofie was replaced by Osei Abubakuri.
Acquah could have scored his second on the day but his feeble 87th minute shot wasn’t enough to get Hearts their second goal in the thrilling encounter.
Shafiu Mumuni missed what could have been the equalizer for Ashgold on stoppage time after wasting a gracious opportunity to the disenchantment of the fans who thronged the stadium.
Ashgold are rocked 15 position on the log with eight points.
Ashgold Starting XI
George Apronti,Emmanuel Nti Mensah ,Roland Amouzou ,Samed Ibrahim,Ibrahim Mohammed ,Osei Baffour Emmanuel,Ibrahim Lukman,Joseph Gordon,Mumuni Shafiu Hans Kwofie.
Hearts Starting XI
Sam,Akurugu,Thomas Abbey,Anthony Nimo,Joshua Otoo,Richard Akrofi,Vincent Atinga,Samudden Ibrahim
Fataw Moahmmed, Daniel Kodie, Cosmos Dauda,Winful Cobbinah
