Two goals from ZESCO United midfielder Samson Ngoma rescued a point for his side as they were held to a 2-2 draw with ZANACO on Sunday to dent their hopes of winning the MTN Super League this season.
Ngoma had ZESCO ahead early, but a penalty from Charles Zulu and a strike by Francis Moustapha turned the fixture on its head. Ngoma found a second three minutes from time to earn his team a point.
They are now seven points behind leaders Red Arrows with seven rounds to play, and with the latter in such scintillating form, it would take a major turnaround in fortunes for ZESCO to get back into the title race.
There was more good news for Arrows when third-placed FC MUZA, who are 11 points behind the leaders, suffered a surprise 3-2 loss at relegation-threatened Prison Leopards.
Chipo Sondashi gave MUZA the lead, but by halftime they were 2-1 down on the scoreboard and a man down on the pitch following a red card for Andrew Phiri.
A Kondwani Mhango own goal brought Leopards level, before John Bitangilayi put the home side in front.
Bitangilayi then extended that lead to 3-1 in the second half and while Biston Banda pulled a goal back for MUZA with 23 minutes to play, it was not enough.
Bottom side Trident made it back-to-back wins – just their third of the campaign – as they defeated Mufulira Wanderers 1-0. Billy Ntumba got a last-minute winner.
They are 12 points from safety and still favourites for the drop, but Trident are at least making a fight of it.
NAPSA Stars moved out of the bottom four with a 1-0 home win over Forest Rangers, Vincent Oburu scoring after 20 minutes of that contest.
Green Buffaloes beat Kabwe Warriors 1-0 thanks to Friday Samu winner, while Green Eagles were comprehensive winners over Kansanshi Dynamos.
Tapson Kaseba, Hosea Silwimba (two) and Enerst Mbewe were on target for the hosts, while Bruce Musakanya got what proved to be a consolation for Dynamos.