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By Amaechi Agbo

Bendel Insurance of Benin, Edo State had their hope of picking a slot into the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL season almost but dashed after they played out a 1-1 draw against Ekiti United at the ongoing 2021 Nigeria National League, NNL Super 8 Playoff in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Insurance came to the match needing an outright win to steady their ship of progress to the expected promised Land but left it too late when they took the lead in a reschedule Matchday 2 clash with neighbourhs, Ekiti United on Friday.

In the rescheduled match played on Friday afternoon, Insurance scored in the 83rd minute as Imade Osarenkhoe blasts the ball beyond the reach of Okon, goalkeeper of Ekiti United to send the Benin Arsenal suporters to wide frenzy.

Insurance thought they had it all wrapped as they aimed for their first win in the play-off after first day defeat to Shooting Stars but got pecked back in the dying minute when a last minute penalty awarded to Ekiti United was coolly conversed by Pius Ojo.

With the first two teams in Group B of the Southern Conference, Shooting Stars and Remo Stars on 4 points apiece, and the bottom teams on a point each, all eyes will be on Enugu on Saturday for the deciding match.

Ekiti United was a awarded a penalty by the centre referee after Insurance defender handled the ball inside the penalty box and the conversion dented their NPFL Promotion Chase.

The Benin Arsenal will now have to dig deep to beat Remo Stars convincingly, by at least 2-0 to stand a chance of scaling through the high hurdles .

Meanwhile, Gombe United held on to their 1-0 scoreline to beat DMD earlier on Thursday.

United were leading 1-0 on Wednesday before the game got interrupted due to heavy rain fall.

Gombe United are joint leader with Niger Tornadoes, both on 4 points while DMD and El Kanemi are on a point.