Amos Frimpong scored a late penalty as Asante kotoko returned to the win column at the expense of Dreams in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
Kotoko heading into the game had not won in their last five games, picking just three points in the process.
But a spirited display helped kotoko overcome a resilient Dreams FC side to get their title ambitions back on track.
The first half was overly physical with as many as seven yellow cards shown - three for the Porcupines and four for Dreams.
Kotoko made a positive start as they won three free kicks in the opening 15 minutes in decent positions but failed to make the most of all.
The visitors managed to repel all the attacks of kotoko before warming themselves into the game.
Dreams took control of possession and started creating openings with the best chance of the first half falling to veteran striker Eric Gawu.
But the former king Faisal goal-poacher failed to connect a decent cross from a former kotoko midfielder Godfred Asante.
Under-fire interim manager Michael Osei brought on Obed Owusu in the second half but the striker was only guilty of missing a glaring opportunity.
Seidu Bancey was also introduced by Osei as kotoko poured forward in numbers for the needed goal.
And so, with only two minutes left on the clock, kotoko won a contentious penalty as Sarfo Gyamfi went down softly.
Captain Amos Frimpong kept his cool to slot home the penalty to hand kotoko all spoils.