Home side, FC Taraba forced Dolphins to a draw, 1-1 in Jalingo on Wednesday in match day 9 of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Dolphins went ahead in the 31st minute when a fortuitous effort from about 35 yards by left full back, Jonathan Zikiye beat an unprepared goalkeeper, Chinedu Kawawa in goal for Taraba.
Zikiye just shot the ball ahead of him during an overlapping run and it found its way into the post.
But that was after Dolphins suffered a casualty as early as the 5th when Igwe Nwosu, a product of the feeder team in his first ever game for the club tore a calf muscle.
Lute Iorhe had a chance to draw level for the home side with 4 minutes left in the half but his shot went wide of the Dolphins post, though it seemed like goalkeeper, Anyalogu had covered well.
Midway into the second half, substitute, Aliru Ahmed beat the Dolphins offside trap but Anyalogu saved a certain goal from close range.
The home side did all they could to get the equalizer but Anyalogu stood his grounds all game long until four minute left to play when another substitute, Ibrahim Sanusi found space in the crowded Dolphins defence to score as they failed to clear the ball after a long thrown in.
Dolphins coach, John Apollo said after the game that he was happy with the draw.
“It’s a game we should have won, but we eventually drew and one point is better than nothing, especially after losing at home to Enyimba last weelend,” Apollo said.
A distraught FC Taraba coach, Tony Ogharandukwu blamed luck for the draw.
“One side played all the football and the other side just defended. The only time they attacked was that goal they scored from distance but we played all 90 minutes in their box,” Ogharandukwu said.
The league now goes on a three week break and resumes on June 14.
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