A stoppage time strike by AFC Leopards youngster Marcellus Ingotsi was all they needed to defeat hosts Bandari FC on Saturday.
The twelve times league champions came into the match under pressure to get something following their dismal display in last league outings where they had registered only three points.
The Dockers have been unpredictable this season, but their barren draw against Western Stima and a win against Tusker FC in the last two outings made them favourites. In the twelve past meetings, Bandari had recorded three wins, five draws and four losses.
It was Ingwe, who started the match strongly, pinning their hosts in their own half in the better part of the first quarter an hour. But their good start was cut short in the 15th minute when new signing Victor Majid had to be stretchered off the field of play following an injury.
Duncan Otieno took his place and he set his foot on accelerator immediately. Wilson Oburu was called into action in the 23rd minute denying Keziron Kizito. Eight minutes later, it was Joshua Mawira, who failed to hit the target with Oburu stranded, after Robinson Kamura had picked him.
After the break, Ingwe came back stronger trying to get an early goal, and the chance fell perfectly on Vincent Oburu in the 49th minute. It was a one on one situation with the experienced Obungu, and the youngster unfortunately failed to hit the target.
In the 54th minute, it was Whyvonne Isuza, who did well to find new signing Alexis Kitenge in a promising position, but the latter shot wide. The frustrated travelling fans continued cheering their side on, despite missed chances hoping to motivate them.
Pacy youngster Marcellus Ingotsi was introduced in the 54th minute to take Aziz Okaka's place as coach Robert Matano looked for ways to get a goal. But it was Gabriel Andika, who was called into action to save his team from Anthony Wambani's long drive.
AFC Leopards continued attacking with their opponents resorting to cautious play, and relying on counter attacks. The tactic invited more pressure against them, but the defense was keen to stop the Leopards' forwards from getting close to the goal.
With the match seemingly heading to a barren draw, a defensive lapse allowed Ingotsi to sneak in and fire the ball past Oburu to give AFC Leopards their first win in ten matches.
AFC Leopards XI: Gabriel Andika, Dennis Shikayi, Joshua Mawira, Robinson Kamura, Musa Mudde(c), Aziz Okaka, Whyvonne Isuzza, Victor Majid, Keziron Kizito, Vincent Oburu, Alexis Kitenge.
Subs: Edwin Mukolwe, Mike Kibwage, Duncan Otieno, Haroun Nyakha, Raymond Omondi, Marcellus Ingotsi.