NPFL Matchday 10: Bendel Insurance end Rivers United's unbeaten run with a late winner

For nine games, Rivers United did not lose. In the tenth, they lost in the 89th minute. Bendel Insurance beat the league leaders 2-1 in Benin City on Sunday, and the title race now has three teams level on 17 points, with the champions holding two games in hand. If you missed the build-up, our Matchday 10 Weekend Board set out what was at stake.

Bendel Insurance 2-1 Rivers United: the run is over

Rivers United goalkeeper Clinton Andy kept it goalless at half-time with three point-blank saves, according to allAfrica. He could not hold out after the break. Freeman Wuchirwe put Bendel ahead in the 48th minute. Chijioke Mbaoma equalised in the 73rd, finishing calmly after a through ball from Shola Oladunjoye, and for a while a third straight draw looked likely. Then Jonathan James scored in the 89th minute.

Rivers United are still top on goal difference at +10, but the gap has closed. They have now gone three games without a win: 0-0 at Abia Warriors, 0-0 at home to Barau FC and this defeat. Bendel Insurance, who had a game in hand after their Matchday 9 fixture was postponed, will be pleased with their first big scalp of the season.

Nasarawa United into the top three

Jofrank Istifanus scored the only goal in Lafia in the 23rd minute. It was Nasarawa United's third straight win, after beating Doma United and Inter Lagos, and it takes them to 17 points, level with Rivers United and Rangers. For Enyimba it was another defeat. They are 19th on eight points from ten games, and only Inter Lagos, who were docked points earlier in the season, are below them.

The rest of the round

• Katsina United 2-2 Plateau United: Plateau led 2-0 before Yushau Armiyau and Umar Rabiu, in stoppage time, rescued a point on Saturday.
• Ikorodu City 2-2 Shooting Stars: Taofeek Otaniyi and Desmond Ojietefian put Shooting Stars 2-0 up inside 36 minutes, and Donald Obiajulu scored twice for Ikorodu City.
• Abia Warriors 0-1 Niger Tornadoes: Wasiu Jimoh scored the winner in Aba in the 56th minute. Abia Warriors drop to 17th.
• Barau FC 1-1 Kwara United, Kun Khalifat 1-0 Inter Lagos and Warri Wolves 0-0 Kano Pillars complete the round.

The top of the table

Next: Rivers United vs Rangers

The fixture list has saved the best for next. Rivers United host Rangers at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday 1 November: first against second, both on 17 points, and Rangers back to league football after their Champions League exit in Algiers. We will preview it later in the week.