Youngster Ramadan Sobhi came off the bench to strike late and give Ahly their third win in as many games under new coach Fathi Mabrouk as they beat Dakhleya 1-0 on Wednesday to keep alive their slim hopes of retaining the Egyptian Premier League title.

The 17-year-old, a talented playmaker who often plays a bit-part role despite his huge potential, ended the resistance of the resolute Dakhleya with 13 minutes remaining as Ahly continued their resurgence under Mabrouk.

Mabrouk, who had two previous spells as an Ahly caretaker boss, took over after Spanish coach Juan Garrido was sacked following a string of poor results that included a second straight African Champions League elimination from the round of 16.

It's the first time that Ahly have managed to keep a clean sheet in three consecutive matches, having crushed Nasr 3-0 before routing El-Geish 4-0.

The Red Devils remain third in the table with 55 points, three behind ENPPI, who played an extra game, and eight behind leaders and arch-rivals Zamalek who have a game in hand.

Ahly's lone striker Ahmed Abdel-Zaher was guilty of spurning two clear-cut chances in the first half, hitting straight at the keeper from close range and firing horribly wide with the goal at his mercy after being picked out unmarked by a low cross from right-back Bassem Ali.

Although Dakhleya focused on getting men behind the ball, they were still dangerous on the break and could have taken the lead on 22 minutes when Ahmed Mansour ran down the left unopposed and found full-back Ahmed Sedik at the far post but the latter's shot missed the target.

Dakhleya continued to defend doggedly in the second half, relying on counter attacks to try to stun the visitors.

However, Ahly still had the upper hand and were unlucky not to break the deadlock on 56 minutes when attacking midfielder Mahmoud Trezeguet's curling shot went wide after he was found unmarked by a threaded pass.

Sobhi made amends in the 77^th minute, gathering a loose ball after a long ball caused mayhem in the Dakhleya area to find the corner of the net with the outside of his right foot.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)