Ahly exacted revenge against the only team that defeated them this season, coming from behind to earn a late 2-1 victory over Maqassa on Sunday to extend their lead on top of the Egyptian Premier League to four points.

Maqassa looked determined to complete a surprising double over their illustrious opponent when ex-Ahly striker John Antwi, who was also on target in Maqassa's famous 3-2 win last month, converted a first-half penalty to give his side the lead.

However, Nigerian forward Junior Ajayi scored and dished out an assist for substitute Walid Soliman in a second half in which Ahly completely outplayed Maqassa, launching a wave after wave of attacks after turning on the style.

Ahly, whose only league defeat this season came against Maqassa, are on top of the table with 45 points, four clear of second-placed and main challengers Ismaily who played a game more.

Maqassa, who extended their winless run to seven matches, slipped to the 12^th spot with 21 points.

Entertaining half

Both sides created openings in an entertaining first-half, with a typically adventurous approach by Maqassa unsettling Ahly's backline which is rarely troubled in domestic games.

In the first 15 minutes, a timely interception by Maqassa keeper Mahmoud Hamdi with his outstretched leg stopped a low cross from reaching lurking striker Walid Azaro while, at the other end, pacy winger Paulin Voavy was thwarted in a one-on-one with Ahly guardian Mohamed El-Shennawi following a superb threaded pass.

Maqassa went ahead on 27 minutes when Antwi found the bottom corner from the spot, having been tripped by El-Shennawi after racing clear of the shaky defence.

Ahly bombarded Maqassa's area after falling behind but their lack of cutting edge let them down.

A low shot from winger Mido Gaber went just wide from inside the area after he superbly tricked his way past his challenger and an angled effort from Azaro was blocked by the advancing Hamdi after he was released by a deft long ball.

Maqassa's counter-attacking game slowed down in the second half after the lively Voavy was replaced because of injury, with Ahly taking advantage to assert their dominance.

Azaro headed home in the 54^th minute but his effort was correctly disallowed for offside, with Ajayi making amends 11 minutes later with a simple finish from seven yards out after an inviting cross from playmaker Abdallah El-Said found him unmarked.

Ahly's incessant pressure resulted in a crucial goal six minutes from time, with Ajayi setting up Soliman for the winner following a flowing three-man move.

Ajayi received a chipped pass from El-Said with a deft touch that took him past his marker before he unselfishly squared the ball for Soliman to fire a low shot into an empty net.

Ahly were unlucky not to extend the gap in the dying minutes but they got the job done for a fifth straight win.

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