Accra Hearts of Oak put up a determined output to beat visiting Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs by a lone goal in their Week 24 clash of the Glo Premier League on Wednesday at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra.
Offensive midfielder Douglas Nkrumah's first half strike separated the two sides and ensured that the Phobians rise from the bottom rungs of the Premier League standings.
For Hearts, it was their best outing in recent times and it came at a crucial time they so badly needed the points to surge in the rankings.
Dwarfs commenced on a brighter note with their possessive play, but it was Hearts who had the first chance at goal, with Abdul Bashiru's glancing shot missing wide from close range.
Later, former Black Starlets captain Kwame Frimpong and Seidu Bansi tested the Hearts defence with efforts at goal.
Hearts then took charge of the game with Nkrumah and left back Owusu Sefah leading raids into the half of the visitors and it was only a matter of time that the opener would come.
On 28 minutes, Nkrumah's header missed narrowly following a swift combination between Bashiru and Sefah.
Two minutes on, slippery forward Wilson Andoh was gifted with the best chance of the first half after Frimpong was stripped of the ball in his vital area.
Nkrumah, after stealing the ball off the feet of Frimpong fetched Andoh, who trapped the ball with his chest before delivering a half volley which brought out the best of Dwarfs goalie Ekow Ampiah.
On 32 minutes, an Nkrumah-Sefah combination paid off after the former headed home from the latter's cross.
Veteran midfielder Emmanuel Osei Kuffour controlled the Dwarfs attack and on three minutes proved to al that he was not finished by laying one of his characteristics flicks to Bansi, but he shot wayward with only Hearts goalie Sammy Adjei at his mercy.
Dwarfs slumped in the second half allowing Hearts to dominate proceedings with their plight worsened as the substitution of Osei Kuffour was effected for the veteran to kick out a water bottle in response to his ejection to be replaced by Samuel Asiedu.
Hearts were denied a second goal by the upright after Uriah Asante's free-kick kissed the posts on 73 minutes.
On the stroke of full time, the crossbar was also came to Hearts' rescue after Michael Insaidoo's long drive crushed the crossbar with Hearts goalie Adjei completely beaten to end the match in favour of the Phobians.
Source: GNA