It was a good hunting game for the Defence Force, Mekelakeya on Thursday as they beat Wolaitta Dicha 1-0 to go top of the Ethiopian Premier League.
Ethiopia Coffee and Fasil Kenema played out a 1-1 draw in the second game with both games at the Dire Dawa International Stadium.
It was a day filled with dark clouds following the tragic death of Bahir Dar City Star Alelegn Azene.
All four teams wore shirts and armbands in his honour with a sombre minute's silence observed before the games.
Mekelakeya won by the faintest of margins in a keenly contested encounter with both sides really going at each other.
Minyilu Wondimu's 31st-minute goal proved just enough to earn them all three points and top place on the log.
Elsewhere in the other game, it was another 31st-minute goal, this time by Abel Endale, which gave Ethiopia Coffee a 1-0 lead over Fasil Kenema.
However, Fasil fought back all through the remainder of the first half and were rewarded with the last kick of the half.
Mesfin Tafesse was the goalscorer on 45+9 minutes, with the game stretching so much due to stoppages.