Defending champions Ahly recovered from a goal down to beat relegation threatened Damanhour 2-1 in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday.

Former Ahly forward Mostafa Afroto stunned his previous club with a quick counter in the 57th minute to put the hosts in the lead.

The Red Devils had to fight to the very end of the game to score two late goals from Peter Ebimobowei and Abdallah El-Said on the 86th and 90th minute, claiming the full points to stay on course for a ninth straight title.

The first half was a dull affair as the game never took off. Ahly were better in terms of possession but struggled in the final third to create any real threat.

Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido reshuffled his team as he made six changes to the side that played against Moghreb Tetouan in the African Champions League last Sunday.

It didn't take a particularly great and organised defence from Damanhour to keep their goals safe as their visitors lacked the spark and the creativity needed to carve spaces in their backline.

The best chances came through a header from Ethiopian striker Saladin Said and a couple of shots from Mohamed Rezq and Ramadan Sobhi.

The game remarkably improved after the interval, especially as Ahly looked more determined and lively. Said wasted a golden opportunity when he strangely missed the target with a header from close range.

And while Ahly were pushing forward, Hamdy Fathy sent Afroto clear in the empty spaces behind the visitors' defence to break into the area and tap a stunning opener at the far post.

Garrido reacted immediately from the bench making three substitutions by bringing Emad Meteb, Moemen Zakareya and Abdallah El-Said on to the pitch.

With some fresh legs and creativity needed, Ahly tightened their grip on the game and managed to penetrate en masse into Damanhour's danger zone.

Zakareya came close to scoring just after the hour mark when he intercepted a rebound but the Damanhour keeper blocked his attempt before he could score.

Ahly had to wait until the 86th minute when Nigerian striker Peter Ebimobowei scored the equaliser from close range after converting a deflected shot from Zakareya.

In a quick fire succession, El-Said scored the winner from inside the area in the 90th minute after a beautiful exchange of passes involving Rezk, Hamdy and Zakareya.

Ahly finished the game with 10 men on the pitch as Sherif Abdel-Fadil received marching orders in the dying seconds of the game for a second booking.

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