Karela United 1-1 Hearts of Oak: Hamza Issah rescues a point for Phobians in Tamale

Hearts of Oak crawled from behind to grab a share of the spoils against Karela United in a matchday 9 clash at the Aliu Mahama Sports Complex in Tamale in the Ghana Premier League on Saturday.

Emmanuel Owusu Boakye connected home an Abdul Fatawu Mohammed long throw-in on the 10th-minute mark to put the home side into the lead.

However, Hamza Issah arrived to rescue the Phobians when he headed home a Salifu Ibrahim corner kick 30 minutes later to level the scoring for the Phobians.

Owusu Boakye missed a chance that was easier to score than to miss just 6 minutes into the second half.

Salifu skimmed past his marker around the 70th minute and created pressure inside the Karela penalty area with goalkeeper Abdul Ganiu poorly controlling a return pass. Hamza ghosted up on him and nearly doubled the lead for the Phobians.

Referee Andrews Awurisa awarded a penalty to Karela in the 82nd minute after Kofi Agbesimah fouled Emmanuel Owusu Boakye inside the penalty area. Goalkeeper Richmond Ayi dashed to his left to save Evans Adomako's penalty kick to keep the Phobians afloat.

In the 95th minute of stoppage time, substitute Abdul Latif obviously applied his hand to block a shot from Dennis Korsah. Though Peter Dawsa had a different opinion, however, referee Awurisa insisted he would not award a penalty to the Phobians.

Hearts of Oak went into the game having failed to beat Karela United in 6 previous away games.